The Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) of the Forest Stewardship Council, A.C. was created in 2013 by Motion 19 of the FSC General Assembly 2011, to assist the Organization in its efforts to fulfill its purpose of promoting viable management of forest resources and forestry production which preserves the environment and respects the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The PIPC is a permanent standing committee established to provide the FSC Board of Directors (BoD) with advice and recommendations. Advice shall be sought by the FSC BoD on Indigenous Peoples matters, including the Indigenous perspectives on policy and standards and the PIPC may, at its discretion, make recommendations to the BoD on any Indigenous matter even when advice is not specifically sought by the FSC BoD.

The mission of the Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee is to focus Indigenous Peoples’ efforts in the FSC certification system, safeguard Indigenous Peoples’ rights and enhance forest management, through inclusion and recognition of Indigenous knowledge, authority and traditional practices; and to support Indigenous Peoples in building FSC certified forest stewardship, increasing their market share and value.

The objectives of the PIPC strengthen Indigenous Peoples involvement with the FSC, by:

• Advising the FSC BoD on how to improve and enhance Indigenous Peoples involvement;
• Championing the FSC’s commitment to affirming Indigenous Peoples rights and traditional and customary values in the FSC certification system and in relevant dialogue spaces;
• Supporting Indigenous Peoples engagement to build forest sector business that is coherent with the ethical principles of FSC, in addition to their social, environmental and economic commitment, and to create market share.