E/2024/43 E/C.19/2024/8 11. The Permanent Forum emphasizes the essential role of Indigenous Peoples’ languages and cultural practices in self-determination and urges Member States to adopt stronger measures to protect them from erosion and loss. The Forum decries the ongoing destruction of cultural heritage sites and the loss of Indigenous Peoples’ languages, urging immediate protective measures through robust legal and policy frameworks aligned with the Declaration. 12. The Permanent Forum highlights the pivotal role of Indigenous women and elders in transmitting cultural values and traditions, recognizing their critical influence on the sustainability of Indigenous cultures. The Forum calls upon Member States to support the establishment of mechanisms for the empowerment of Indigenous women and girls, and calls for their equal involvement and participation in decision-making processes at all levels. 13. The Permanent Forum is concerned by the adverse effects of climate change an d irresponsible resource extraction on Indigenous Peoples’ lands and territories. The Forum calls upon Member States, the United Nations and other international organizations to support Indigenous-led initiatives to mitigate these impacts and stresses the importance of self-governance of Indigenous Peoples in managing these natural resources. Indigenous youth 14. Indigenous youth are proactively championing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self determination, intertwining Indigenous knowledge to ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ cosmovisions are integral in shaping policies at all levels. 15. Indigenous youth face significant barriers, including discrimination and marginalization, which critically impede their ability to practise and sustain their culture, traditions, languages and identities. The Forum draws attention to the high rates of suicide among Indigenous youth, and reiterates its call for Indigenous determinants of health, with a focus on youth and children, to be addressed. Enhancing legal frameworks, policymaking processes and international collaboration is vital to ensure the full and effective participation of Indigenous youth in selfdetermination. 16. The Permanent Forum recommends that Member States and the United Nations system develop and support educational and leadership programmes tailored to the needs of Indigenous youth, enabling them to fulfil their potential as leaders and protectors of their cultures and territories. 17. The Permanent Forum urges Member States to make significant investments in bilingual and culturally appropriate primary, secondary and higher education programmes, including mobile education initiatives for nomadic, semi-nomadic and mobile communities. Furthermore, the Forum calls upon Member States to establish effective mechanisms to ensure Indigenous youth occupy central roles in policy and political arenas and to break down barriers to their full political participation and leadership. 18. The Permanent Forum regrets the outcome and impact of the “Indigenous Voice” referendum on Indigenous Peoples, in particular Indigenous youth, held in Australia in 2023, which undermines their journey towards the full realization of the right to self-determination for Indigenous Peoples. The Forum urges the Government of Australia to implement the Declaration. 19. The Permanent Forum recognizes the grave challenges faced by the Indigenous Peoples of Ukraine – the Crimean Tatars, Karaites and Krymchaks – as a result of Russian aggression against Ukraine, which greatly affects their right to self determination. 24-07820 7/28