Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) is a principle protected by international human rights standards that state, ‘all peoples have the right to self-determination’ and – linked to the right to self-determination – ‘all peoples have the right to freely pursue their economic, social and cultural development’. FPIC allows indigenous peoples to give or withhold consent to a project that may affect them or their territories.
While the U.S. recognizes “the significance of the Declaration’s provisions on free, prior and informed consent[,]” it qualifies those provisions as a “call for a process of meaningful consultation with tribal leaders.” The federal government’s emphasis on consultation rather than consent is an ongoing challenge for tribes seeking to ensure they have the necessary decision-making authority over projects that affect their lands, territories, and resources.
Resources:
![Colorado Law Hosts UNPF Meeting on Indigenous Peoples in a Greening Economy](https://un-declaration.narf.org/wp-content/uploads/X.20240123_100822-300x222.jpg)
Colorado Law Hosts UNPF Meeting on Indigenous Peoples in a Greening Economy
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Join Us At NCAI’s 80th Annual Convention and Marketplace For Our Breakout Sessions This November
![Panel on Protecting Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Expressions](https://un-declaration.narf.org/wp-content/uploads/ncai-ppt-cover-implentation-project-300x169.png)
Panel on Protecting Indigenous Knowledge and Cultural Expressions
![Cop 26 Logo](https://un-declaration.narf.org/wp-content/uploads/cop26-300x169.png)
Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change: Preparing for COP26
![United Nations Expert Mechanism on Rights of Indigenous Peoples Report: Free, prior and informed consent: a human-rights based approach](https://un-declaration.narf.org/wp-content/plugins/pt-content-views-pro/public/assets/images/default_image.png)
United Nations Expert Mechanism on Rights of Indigenous Peoples Report: Free, prior and informed consent: a human-rights based approach
![Guidelines on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (UN-REDD)](https://un-declaration.narf.org/wp-content/uploads/2013-unredd-fipc-300x300.png)
Guidelines on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (UN-REDD)
![Manual for Project Managers: Free Prior and Informed Consent (Food and Agricultural Organization, UN)](https://un-declaration.narf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016-fao-fpic-224x300.png)
Manual for Project Managers: Free Prior and Informed Consent (Food and Agricultural Organization, UN)
![Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Handbook for Parliamentarians N° 23](https://un-declaration.narf.org/wp-content/uploads/2014parliamentarians-handbook-219x300.png)
Implementing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Handbook for Parliamentarians N° 23
![British Columbia becomes 1st Canadian province to pass UN Indigenous rights declaration](https://un-declaration.narf.org/wp-content/uploads/1920px-canada-flag-300x150.png)
British Columbia becomes 1st Canadian province to pass UN Indigenous rights declaration
![Washington Attorney General seal](https://un-declaration.narf.org/wp-content/uploads/washington-ag.png)