E/2019/43 E/C.19/2019/10 peoples, government entities and other stakeholders to discuss development and economic projects in Asia applying the principles of free, prior and informed consent, in line with Sustainable Development Goal 17. Central and South America and the Caribbean 113. Topics discussed in the dialogue included challenges and obstacles to the implementation of the Declaration, regional participation mechanisms, and cooperation and dialogue among States, indigenous peoples, United Nations entities and other intergovernmental organizations to promote the implementation of the Declaration. 114. The Permanent Forum welcomes the participation of indigenous peoples of the Caribbean region in this dialogue. 115. While it was recognized that States in the region have taken significant steps to advance the legal recognition of the rights of indigenous peoples in the world, participants expressed that it was necessary to harmonize laws, policies and programmes at the national, regional and local levels to achieve the ends of the Declaration. 116. Indigenous peoples acknowledged the significant role played by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean to advance the rights of indigenous peoples in the region. 117. Participants urged the effective implementation of the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted in 2016 by the Organization of American States, and the harmonization of the implementation of this Declaration with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169). 118. The Permanent Forum acknowledges the signing of the peace accord in Colombia and the efforts to implement it. The Forum takes note of Colombia’s statement at the eighteenth session of the Forum on the need to protect the lives and integrity of indigenous human rights defenders. The Forum is, however, deeply concerned that killings of indigenous leaders have been increasing. The Forum urges the Government of Colombia to intensify its efforts to provide effective measures to prevent further attacks and to ensure peace and security for indigenous human right defenders and leaders. North America 119. Among the issues discussed at the North America dialogue were the protection of indigenous peoples’ sacred sites, lands and waters; maintaining cultural practices and sustainable indigenous economies; reconciliation and intergenerational trauma; violence against indigenous women and young people; and indigenous peoples ’ participation in the United Nations system. 120. The continued criminalization of indigenous peoples who are protecting sacred sites is a major concern in the region, as is the situation of indigenous young people in urban areas that are experiencing suicide and opioid crises, the large percentage of indigenous children who are in foster care and the disproportionate number of indigenous peoples, especially women, who are incarcerated. 121. The Permanent Forum appreciates that Canada, Mexico and the United Sta tes expressed their support for the enhanced participation of indigenous peoples in the United Nations system and urges them to work with other Member States in supporting a more robust consultation process, with the aim of creating a new status for indigenous peoples at the United Nations. 20/28 19-08162