The Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement

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IPETCA Partnership Council

The IPETCA established the IPETCA Partnership Council – a unique joint decision-making body comprising economy representatives and Indigenous representatives to oversee and implement the Arrangement.

Key outcomes

The IPETCA achieves several outcomes:

  • Indigenous representatives from participating economies were instrumental in advocating for and developing the IPETCA;
  • It reaffirms existing Indigenous Peoples’ rights including under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other international instruments;
  • It provides a holistic definition for “Indigenous trade and investment” developed by Indigenous Peoples;
  • It provides a framework for cooperation between participating economies to develop and expand international Indigenous trade and investment with and between Indigenous Peoples;
  • It establishes a Partnership Council to jointly oversee the IPETCA’s implementation;
  • It is an open plurilateral Arrangement that any APEC or WTO Member, or any other economy, can join.

Indigenous Trade

Indigenous Peoples have been traders and entrepreneurs since time immemorial. Of the world’s 476 million Indigenous Peoples, the World Bank estimates that 70 percent live across the Asia Pacific region. Indigenous economies have evolved considerably and continue to make a meaningful contribution within APEC economies.

Firms engaged in international trade are more innovative, competitive, productive, and higher earning. Indigenous Peoples are increasingly active in export-focused sectors, but they also face higher barriers in accessing international trade and investment opportunities.

The IPETCA helps to address and embed Indigenous trade interests more firmly on the international agenda, including promoting and advancing Indigenous rights and interests in trade policy.

Who can join the IPETCA?

The IPETCA is open to all economies that are committed to strengthening Indigenous Peoples’ trade and economic participation and empowerment.

IPETCA Partner economies are expected to have both Government and Indigenous representatives. IPETCA Observers can be represented by either Government and/or Indigenous representatives.

Economies, groups, and entities are invited to submit expressions of interest to join IPETCA, to New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as the current chairing economy, at ipetca.nz@mfat.govt.nz.

Expressions of interest will be received by the IPETCA Co-Chairs and brought to the Partnership Council for consideration and approval.

Email ipetca.nz@mfat.govt.nz with any queries.

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