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Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

3,522 views · Published 18 May 2009 · 3:30 · Indexed 2 October 2026

Channel: United Nations · 2009 · News & Politics

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United Nations, New York, 18 May 2009 - The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues opened today its eighth annual two-week session in which some 2,000 representatives of indigenous groups were expected to discuss ways to further implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which gained momentum last month when Australia officially endorsed the accord after previously having voted against it.  Other issues to be taken up included the relationship between indigenous peoples and industrial corporations, climate change, the Arctic region and land tenure.

The Permanent Forum was established by the Economic and Social Council in 2000 to discuss indigenous issues relating to economic and social development, the environment, education, health and human rights.  It is composed of 16 independent experts functioning in their personal capacities; eight are nominated by Governments and eight directly by indigenous organizations in their regions. 

Background information on the current session:
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/hr4979.doc.htm

Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Website: 
http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/

View the entire opening of the session (Real Media, 1 hour and 29 minutes):
http://webcast.un.org/ramgen/ondemand/specialevents/2009/se090518am.rm

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