Country Director Elena Tischenko's remarks at the national dialogue on indigenous people in Cambodia

On behalf of UNDP and UN partners of a Joint Programme in Support of Creative Industries, I am pleased to warmly welcome you to this National Dialogue on the Promotion of Indigenous Culture and Economic Development through the Implementation of the National Programme for Sub-National Democratic Development (NP-SNDD).

The dialogue today represents the collaborative effort and commitment of the Ministry of Interior of the Royal Government of Cambodia and the Joint UN Programme that brought together 4 ministries - the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Industries Mine and Energy and Ministry of Agriculture, and 4 UN agencies, UNESCO, UNDP, FAO and ILO, to jointly contribute to the advancement of indigenous people participation in Cambodia’s development and to benefit from it. The purpose of the dialogue is to create a platform for relevant stakeholders to share experiences, challenges and opportunities faced in the implementation of national policies and programmes of the RGC on indigenous people development. It is intended to stimulate the dialogue and underscore the values of identity, cultural diversity, tradition, customs, and local economic empowerment of indigenous peoples as part of the national development plan and the way to help achieve sustained and resilient growth that is inclusive of indigenous people.

Today we gathered here to exchange views and explore options among the government agencies, DPs, CSOs and other stakeholders, on how to support and promote economic development in an equitable and sustainable way that involves indigenous communities. It would be an important step forward if today’s dialogue helps determine action plans and draw a road map to integrate some specific solutions and options into the implementation mechanism of the National Programme for Sub National Democratic Development (NP-NCDD).

Our dialogue today builds on the progress, achievements and experiences that emerge from the Joint UN-RGC Creative Industries Support Programme that assists in preservation of Cambodia’s tangible and intangible heritage and in using cultural assets as a driver of economic empowerment. For the past two and half years, this programme has been instrumental in establishing ways to protect the culture of indigenous people in accordance with the “Royal Decree on Living Human Treasure”, and to promote creative industry through support for products design and manufacture, quality improvement, entrepreneurship, and commercialization of indigenous cultural products. 

The dialogue that brought us together today is part of a broader regional trend whereby stakeholders in different countries of Asia region engage in a dialogue and work together to explore policy options and development choices available to indigenous people. UNDP’s regional initiative on Indigenous People Rights and Development assist this multi country process and provides forum for exchange of knowledge and experiences, which can in the future benefit from Cambodia’s experience.  

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

In Cambodia, indigenous population comprises of around 1.4% of 14 millions of the total population. The majority of indigenous people live in the Northeastern provinces of Ratanakiri, Mondulkiri, Stung Treng, Kratie and Preah Vihear. The recently launched Cambodian Human Development Report has observed that human development index in the Northerneast provinces is in the range of 0.375 to 0.495, which is much lower than the national average of  0.7.

It is widely understood that the livelihoods of indigenous people depend mainly on traditional farming and access to non-timber forest products. At the same time, indigenous people and communities have enormous assets to offer. Their distinctive tradition, unique culture, traditional way of life and customs, natural beauty of the landscape and forest, and exceptional traditional talents can indeed contribute significantly to the improvement of their livelihoods and to the development of prosperous and diverse Cambodia. Creative Industries Support Programme has proven this beyond any doubt and has shown that preserving and promoting culture of indigenous people can go hand in hand with generating supplementary revenue by their communities through the production and commercialization of cultural products such as textile weaving, basketry, jar and pottery. Furthermore, this traditional craftsmanship has a great economic potential for tourism industry. Through community-based manufacture of traditional products and responsible tourism, communities are not only able to earn income but are also motivated to protect forest and endangered species, and through this to protect the environment. Very importantly, traditional handicrafts also play crucial role in shaping and preserving identity and culture of indigenous people and prevent the danger of diminishing or even disappearance of this unique traditional heritage.

Compared to the mainstream Khmer, indigenous people are considered the most disadvantaged and marginalized group in the country. By helping them to actively participate, contribute to and benefit from country’s development, the national programmes, and NSDD in particular, could reduce disparities while making sure that unique indigenous traditions, identity and ways of life contribute significantly to Cambodia’s ethnic diversity and values, as well as economic growth. Inclusion of indigenous people into Cambodia’s socio-economic development and economic diversification would also help protect traditional livelihoods and diminish the threat to their existence, culture and tradition.  Inclusive development processes are not possible without empowerment of local communities and protecting their rights to determine their fate.

Speaking on behalf of the UN on the International Day of the World’s Indigenous People on the 9th August this year, the UN Secretary-General reaffirmed the rights of indigenous people and our shared commitment to advance the values of equity, justice and dignity for all. Indigenous people represent remarkable diversity of 5,000 distinct groups in some 90 countries. They make up more than 5 percent of the world’s population, or some 370 million people. Together, they are custodians of a valuable and often fast-disappearing cultural heritage. We must work harder to recognize and help protect and develop the cultural heritage and traditional knowledge that is ultimately of benefit to us all.

Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen,

The Royal Government of Cambodia (RGC) has acknowledged the important role played by culture to shape national identity, strengthen social cohesion and contribute to the economic development of the country. It has called for further support from the UN and its partners to realize the economic and social potential of its cultural sector. One important avenue taken by UN partners, through the joint UN-RGC programme on Support to Creative Industries, was to complement efforts for cultural preservation with the support for entrepreneurship, trade and market linkages, and capacity building for groups and associations of artists and producers. On 24 April 2009, the Royal Government of Cambodia has ratified the “Policy and sub-decree on indigenous people”, which is the fundamental framework for all national stakeholders and relevant institutions to follow and “ensure the sustainable development of IP culture, economic and social well-being”.  

Continuous reaffirmation of these principles and values is very important, considering that indigenous peoples face complex challenges, influenced by various factors, from climate change to accelerated economic growth that is accompanied by increased pressure on natural resources.

Access to food and forest products becomes more difficult, while reliance on rice farming alone cannot guarantee the food supply for year around, as it used to be. Without proactive ways to involve indigenous people into strengthening their livelihoods and economic empowerment, there are few alternatives for them to find adequate sources of income for their families. As a result, they may have no choice rather than sell their farm land or work for private agro-business companies. 

There are ways to help indigenous peoples to overcome these challenges. In this, the role of the Royal Government of Cambodia is very important. National development and investment programmes can support and improve livelihoods of vulnerable groups, including indigenous communities, through coordinated efforts at central and sub-national levels. There are mechanisms already in place, as part of sub-national democratic development, for local communities to actively participate and integrate their priorities into the agendas, plans and budgets of sub-national administrations. With the commitment and active involvement of the commune-, district- and provincial councils, these mechanisms can be a vehicle for a participatory approach and inclusion of indigenous people. Local council can initiate development projects that are responsive to the needs of their communities, be it community-based eco-tourism, local handicraft production, agro-business, fish farming, husbandry, or others.

We hope that discussions at this Indigenous People Forum will help clarify short-, medium- and longer-term vision to promote indigenous culture linked to economic empowerment. Such vision and priorities should incorporate the needs, concerns, demands and perspectives of indigenous people and help all partners to better organize and target their support and collaboration, under the lead role of the Royal Government of Cambodia.

Allow me in conclusion to thank all the participants and representatives of indigenous communities and commune councils from 4 provinces, who took a great effort to come a long way in order to join us here today and share experiences and views at this National Dialogue.

I wish all the participants every success in this important initiative and look forward to having fruitful discussions today and strong follow-up in the future.

Thank you.