Enabling Indigenous Trade 2025

Indigenous trade advocacy BOX 3 Australia: The country appointed its first ambassador for First Nations People, Justin Mohamed, in 2023. The ambassador leads the Office for First Nations International Engagement within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and collaborates closely with the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) and across the Australian government. The ambassador’s role is to incorporate the perspectives and interests of First Nations Australians into Australia’s foreign policy, including on trade and development. The ambassador and office work in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to identify new areas of cooperation between First Nations communities and international partners, including in IP , trade, climate change, tourism and development. This is an important step in ensuring that Australia has dedicated First Nations representation in its international engagement and that First Nations communities share in the benefits of this work. Canada: The Indigenous Advisory Group was established as part of Canada’s progressive trade agenda. This group has worked with Canadian trade negotiators and influenced the outcomes of various trade negotiations, including the USMCA, CETA and the CUFTA, and was instrumental in the development of the IPETCA. New Zealand: After disruptions during the CPTPP negotiations, the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) sought to improve its engagement with Māori. This led to the establishment of Te Taumata to support MFAT’s Māori engagement efforts and Ngā Toki Whakarururanga through a formal mediation agreement to ensure New Zealand’s compliance with Te Tiriti o Waitangi in its trade agreements. MFAT also maintains long-standing relationships with the National Iwi Chairs Forum and the Federation of Māori Authorities. Collectively, these groups represent Māori tribal, community, business and economic interests to balance commercial, cultural and political imperatives in trade discussions. Pacific: In November 2011, representatives of eight Polynesian island groups comprising prime ministers and leaders of the Cook Islands, Samoa and Tonga, the governor of American Samoa, the Ulu-o-Tokelau and special envoys from the governments of Niue, Tuvalu and Mā’ohi Nui-French Polynesia ratified a memorandum of understanding establishing the Polynesian Leaders Group (PLG). New Zealand, Rapa Nui and Hawai’i representatives were recently admitted to the group. It is the first Polynesian subregional organization whose membership is open to any Polynesian society to join – it is not limited to nation-states. Its overarching aim is to foster cooperation among Polynesian countries concerning their common interests, which could include trade. 2.3 Trade promotion and facilitation Trade-facilitation measures aim to streamline and simplify international trade processes. By incorporating Indigenous perspectives and needs into these measures, governments can ensure that Indigenous businesses are not disadvantaged by bureaucratic hurdles or technical barriers. Effective trade facilitation can lead to reduced costs and increased efficiency for Indigenous exporters and importers. This enhances their competitiveness in the global market, enables greater participation in international trade and fosters economic growth within Indigenous communities. It can also promote the development of infrastructure that benefits both Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses. Trade promotion plays an essential role in the growth, diversification and resilience of national economies. By supporting businesses in expanding their reach into new markets, trade promotion can stimulate economic growth, enhance a country’s competitiveness and increase its overall prosperity and well-being. Effective trade-promotion strategies can facilitate more seamless access to new markets, provide market insights into consumer trends and nurture partnerships and collaborations that enable innovation and improved business practices. Trade promotion can also enhance cultural exchange and political relationships, which are critical for advancing Indigenous Peoples’ inclusion in the global economy. Incorporating Indigenous businesses into national trade strategies promotes equity and inclusivity and can contribute to more substantial economic benefits. Indigenous businesses provide unique product and service offerings that are culturally informed. Their inclusion can enhance a country’s global reputation by demonstrating an open commitment to cultural diversity and sustainability, values that are increasingly important to consumers globally. Empowering Indigenous businesses to benefit from international trade will support the economic resilience of Indigenous communities and contribute to the stability and growth of national economies. Strategic inclusion through trade promotion can help build a more inclusive economy that sustainably uses all available resources and recognizes the diversity of talent, positioning a country as a progressive and diverse trading partner on the international stage. Indigenous inclusion in trade promotion can build an inclusive economy that uses all available resources and talent, positioning a country as a progressive trading partner. Enabling Indigenous Trade: Actionable Guidance for Governments 14