E/2024/43 E/C.19/2024/8 102. The Permanent Forum heard that industrial companies and authorities in the Russian Federation promoted certain “authorized bodies of Indigenous Peoples”, which in reality were run by State representatives claiming that only these organizations had the right to negotiate on behalf of Indigenous Peoples. In this regard, the Forum proposes that the Government of the Russian Federation revise the federal law on guarantees of the rights of Indigenous Peoples of t he Russian Federation. 103. The Permanent Forum recommends that Member States in the region enhance the protection of Indigenous Peoples through recognition and autonomy, in line with the Declaration, by revising legal and policy frameworks. Governments sh ould rectify the injustices of the colonial past, taking into consideration Indigenous Peoples and their perspectives, in particular those of Indigenous youth, ensuring the participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making. North America 104. The Permanent Forum welcomes the rich contributions from Indigenous Peoples and Member States during the North America regional dialogue. Indigenous Peoples have many strengths that can contribute positively to a diverse array of areas, such as health, sustainable development and environmental stewardship. 105. The Permanent Forum urges Canada and the United States to fund, expand and improve initiatives to end the epidemics that affect Indigenous Peoples, including the alarming rates of HIV, hepatitis C and sexually transmitted infections, especially among women, youth, persons with disabilities, and gender-diverse and two-spirited persons. 106. The rights of Indigenous Peoples to govern lands, to manage resources and to protect lands, territories and ecosystems must be upheld in line with the Declaration. The Permanent Forum is concerned that the bilateral agreements between Canada and the United States to divert or export water from Canada to the United States do not take into consideration Indigenous Peoples’ rights and water needs. 107. The Permanent Forum calls for support to be provided to displaced Mayan and other Indigenous Peoples permanently settled in Canada and the United States so that they are visible to authorities and culturally safe as per the De claration, while upholding the treaty and trust rights of Indigenous Peoples in North America. 108. With many continuing areas of conflict globally, the Permanent Forum urgently calls upon Member States to focus on ways to achieve peace by utilizing Indige nous Peoples as peacebuilders. 109. The Permanent Forum supports the call for the establishment of an informal elders’ council of the Permanent Forum. 110. The Permanent Forum acknowledges the benefits of evaluating the Forum’s programme of work, operations, participation and tenure in preparation for the twentieth anniversary of the passage of the Declaration. The Pacific 111. The Indigenous Peoples of the Pacific region span a quarter of the globe. From Hawai’i in the north to the southernmost island of Aotearoa, and from Rapa Nui in the east over to the island of Papua and the shores of the Australian continent. The Permanent Forum heard Indigenous Peoples’ stories about violence, racism, discrimination, and Indigenous Peoples asserted their right to self-determination under the Declaration. 18/28 24-07820