A/HRC/21/52
proactively engage with States and indigenous peoples at the national level to achieve that
goal, and emphasized the need for full implementation of the Declaration. He noted the
valuable contributions of the observers to the work of the Expert Mechanism.
14.
The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples reflected on his work
relating to extractive industries, and noted that concerns about extractive industries were
repeatedly raised in his engagement with indigenous peoples. He stressed the need to focus
more attention on the protection of the primary substantive rights of indigenous peoples that
may be implicated in natural resource extraction, such as the right to self-determination,
and stated that he would elaborate further in his report to the Human Rights Council at its
twenty-first session.
15.
Grand Chief Edward John, Chairperson of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Issues, noted the coordination between the three United Nations mechanisms on indigenous
peoples and emphasized the overarching goal of implementing the United Nations
Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. He discussed the importance of
recognizing and protecting indigenous peoples’ languages and cultures in the context of the
implementation of the human rights of indigenous peoples and expressed particular concern
relating to the continued violence against indigenous women.
E.
Adoption of the agenda
16.
The Expert Mechanism adopted the agenda 2 and the programme of work of the fifth
session.
IV. The World Conference on Indigenous Peoples
17.
John Henriksen, indigenous co-facilitator of the World Conference on Indigenous
Peoples, provided an update on consultations relating to the World Conference. He
explained that there were two points of broad agreement, including the need for indigenous
peoples’ full and effective participation in the World Conference, and that the outcomes of
the conference should be action-oriented, focusing on the realization of the implementation
of the human rights of indigenous peoples.
18.
The indigenous peoples’ global coordinating group related to the World Conference
on Indigenous Peoples noted that it had undertaken consultations with States to seek
support and had worked closely with the indigenous co-facilitator, Mr. Henriksen. The
group also provided the Expert Mechanism with recommendations concerning the
modalities of the World Conference, including an independent and preliminary thematic
hearing to facilitate the development of a concise action-oriented outcome document. It
further recommended that documentation resulting from relevant preparatory processes be
recognized as official documents at the World Conference.
19.
Observers made recommendations concerning the duration, location, dates,
procedures, agenda items and themes of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples,
frequently articulating the need for the full, effective and equal participation of indigenous
peoples in the planning, follow-up and implementation of the outcomes of the World
Conference. Various observers recommended that the World Conference take place over
three days, voicing the importance of ensuring the availability of sufficient financial
resources to enable the participation of indigenous peoples at all stages.
2
A/HRC/EMRIP/2012/1 and A/HRC/EMRIP/2012/1/Add.1.
9