Representatives of UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Indigenous Peoples and Right to Food Units, the head of FAO’s Pesticides Division, the office of the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights, and IITC met on February 15th 2025 at the Guatemalan Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva in the margins of EMRIP’s 18th session to discuss next steps for amending the International Code of Conduct on Pesticides.
“Industrial food production, including large-scale farming and livestock enterprises, produces 25% of the world’s greenhouse gasses and causes deforestation, soil contamination by toxic pesticides, and unsustainable water use. Healthy living soil, which Indigenous Peoples’ traditional farming and herding practices preserve and restore, is the 3rd largest absorber of greenhouse gasses, after the oceans and atmosphere.”
— IITC intervention to the 18th session of the UN EMRIP, July 15, 2025, Geneva
On October 4th, 2024, 29th session of the UN Committee on Agriculture (COAG), a state body that meets in Rome, adopted a consensus resolution to amend the International Code of Conduct on Pesticides Management to include the Right of Indigenous Peoples to Free Prior and Informed Consent in accordance with Article 29 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The COAG’s decision responded to a long-standing call by Indigenous Peoples and a specific recommendation by the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in 2022. The COAG requested the Joint Meeting on Pesticides Management (JMPM), coordinated by FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO), with presenting a report with recommendations for a final decision at COAG’s next session, based on additional evidence and inputs including from Indigenous Peoples.
The questionnaire for Indigenous Peoples on Pesticides and FPIC, developed jointly by FAO and IITC as well as WHO, and available in 5 UN languages, is a key element in this process. Responses will be complied and reflected in JMPM’s report to COAG. Please log on to this link to access the questionnaire: fao.org/indigenous-peoples/news/detail/indigenous-peoples–questionnaire-on-pesticides-and-the-right-to-free–prior-and-informed-consent-(fpic)-has-been-officially-launched/en
The original cut-off date for submissions was today, July 16th, 2025. Yesterday at a meeting that included representatives from FAO and IITC, an agreement was made to extend the due date for two weeks until July 30th, 2025, to allow for additional submissions. We respectfully request Indigenous Peoples impacted by pesticides from all regions, whether by direct applications or global transport, to participate in this unique opportunity influence amendments to this international standard that directly impacts Indigenous Peoples’ rights to intergenerational and maternal health, productive environment, climate justice, food systems, culture and life, among others. Thank you for your participation!
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IITC AND FAO ANNOUNCE AN EXTENSION FOR SUBMISSIONS TO THE GLOBAL QUESTIONNAIRE ON PESTICIDES
Representatives of UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s Indigenous Peoples and Right to Food Units, the head of FAO’s Pesticides Division, the office of the UN Special Rapporteur on Toxics and Human Rights, and IITC met on February 15th 2025 at the Guatemalan Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva in the margins of EMRIP’s 18th session to discuss next steps for amending the International Code of Conduct on Pesticides.
“Industrial food production, including large-scale farming and livestock enterprises, produces 25% of the world’s greenhouse gasses and causes deforestation, soil contamination by toxic pesticides, and unsustainable water use. Healthy living soil, which Indigenous Peoples’ traditional farming and herding practices preserve and restore, is the 3rd largest absorber of greenhouse gasses, after the oceans and atmosphere.”
— IITC intervention to the 18th session of the UN EMRIP, July 15, 2025, Geneva
On October 4th, 2024, 29th session of the UN Committee on Agriculture (COAG), a state body that meets in Rome, adopted a consensus resolution to amend the International Code of Conduct on Pesticides Management to include the Right of Indigenous Peoples to Free Prior and Informed Consent in accordance with Article 29 of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The COAG’s decision responded to a long-standing call by Indigenous Peoples and a specific recommendation by the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in 2022. The COAG requested the Joint Meeting on Pesticides Management (JMPM), coordinated by FAO and the World Health Organization (WHO), with presenting a report with recommendations for a final decision at COAG’s next session, based on additional evidence and inputs including from Indigenous Peoples.
The questionnaire for Indigenous Peoples on Pesticides and FPIC, developed jointly by FAO and IITC as well as WHO, and available in 5 UN languages, is a key element in this process. Responses will be complied and reflected in JMPM’s report to COAG. Please log on to this link to access the questionnaire: fao.org/indigenous-peoples/news/detail/indigenous-peoples–questionnaire-on-pesticides-and-the-right-to-free–prior-and-informed-consent-(fpic)-has-been-officially-launched/en
The original cut-off date for submissions was today, July 16th, 2025. Yesterday at a meeting that included representatives from FAO and IITC, an agreement was made to extend the due date for two weeks until July 30th, 2025, to allow for additional submissions. We respectfully request Indigenous Peoples impacted by pesticides from all regions, whether by direct applications or global transport, to participate in this unique opportunity influence amendments to this international standard that directly impacts Indigenous Peoples’ rights to intergenerational and maternal health, productive environment, climate justice, food systems, culture and life, among others. Thank you for your participation!