Barents Working Group of Indigenous Peoples committed to foster EU-Sámi cooperation

For the first time in over two years, the Barents Working Group of Indigenous Peoples (WGIP) gathered in person to discuss pivotal matters concerning the Working Group and its future. This meeting served as a platform to foster meaningful collaboration across borders.

One of the most important outcomes of the meeting was the decision to host the second EU Sámi Summit in order to create and enhance EU-level collaboration. Janne Hirvasvuopio, the Working Group’s Chairperson, expressed hopes for a joint cross-border effort within the Sami society to enhance EU awareness on Sami issues:

“We must actively remind Brussels that the Sámi people are here and we are paving the way for our own destiny.”

The Working Group also took the opportunity to address critical human rights issues in the Nordic countries. The board brought these concerns to the Finnish National Human Rights Institution (NHRI), which has committed to working jointly to combat these challenges.

Additionally, the Working Group met with the Finnish Ambassador for Barents and Northern Dimension, Marja Joenusva, and expressed gratitude for her respectful approach during all negotiations between her office and the Sami Parliament in Finland. As Finland enters its final year of participation in the Barents cooperation, the Working Group reaffirmed its commitment to working effectively and maintaining the productive dialogue between the WG and the Finnish government.

The meeting with its discussions and decisions marked a significant advancement in addressing challenges facing the Barents-related cooperation between national borders in Sápmi and highlighted the importance of the continuation of this multilateral cooperation.