E/CN.4/2002/97 page 11 health and well-being of indigenous peoples is overwhelmingly affected by factors outside the realm of health itself, namely social, economic, environmental and cultural determinants. In the field of indigenous health, the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) has also become active over the years. 4. UNDP 25. In 1995, UNDP issued draft guidelines for support to indigenous peoples, in which four fields of action are identified: cultural revitalization, improvement of living standards, preservation of natural resources, and economic and technological development. Many UNDP small grants to regional and national programmes have involved indigenous communities. The UNDP “Policy of Engagement”, adopted in 2001, underlines the main principles guiding the relationship with indigenous peoples and identifies five areas of support to indigenous peoples: participation, self-determination, conflict prevention and peace building, environment and sustainable development, and the effects of globalization. 5. World Intellectual Property Organization 26. WIPO is devoting some of its activities to the intellectual property of indigenous peoples (i.e. their cultural heritage), which includes the information, practices, beliefs and philosophy that are unique to each indigenous culture. It has organized seminars, workshops, fact-finding missions and studies, together with indigenous organizations, on issues related to the impact of corporate business interests on indigenous knowledge and heritage, and is developing guidelines for the protection of indigenous intellectual property rights. Currently, intergovernmental discussions are being held on how indigenous peoples’ rights to traditional knowledge, folklore and genetic resources can be protected in national legislation. The second session of the commission established to deal with these matters was held in Geneva from 10 to 14 December 2001. 6. International financial institutions 27. The World Bank developed its interest in the situation of indigenous peoples as a result of the lobbying activities of indigenous, human rights and environmental organizations, which were concerned with the impact of World Bank-financed projects on the well-being, lifestyles and survival of indigenous peoples. The Bank’s operating guidelines with respect to indigenous peoples, contained in Operational Directive 4.20 (1991), provides guidance to officials and staff of the Bank in implementing its policies on indigenous populations. The aim of the policy is “to ensure that the development process fosters full respect for [indigenous peoples’] dignity, human rights and cultural uniqueness, [and] to ensure that indigenous people do not suffer adverse effects during the development process, particularly from Bank-financed projects, and that they receive culturally compatible social and economic benefits”. The Bank is currently revising OD 4.20, in consultation with indigenous organizations, aiming to convert it into a mandatory Operational Policy for all of its development projects related to indigenous peoples. 28. Along similar lines, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is concerned about the development of indigenous peoples in the Americas. It supports development projects in indigenous areas and provides technical and financial cooperation to the Fund for the