A/HRC/21/52 made in relation to the designation of World Heritage sites without the free, prior and informed consent of indigenous peoples living on or near such sites. VIII. Interactive dialogue with the United Nations mechanisms on indigenous peoples 57. Ms. Lasimbang, in her opening statement as the Chair of the interactive dialogue, said it was the first time the Expert Mechanism was holding such a dialogue, and she expressed hope that it would prove useful not only to States, indigenous peoples and other observers but also to the panel consisting of the three mandates dealing with indigenous peoples’ rights. 58. International Chief Littlechild discussed the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples at the international and national levels. He explained that the Declaration was the framework for the work of the Expert Mechanism, including its reports and studies. He noted that the foundation of each of the studies and reports of the Expert Mechanism was the right to self-determination. He also described an initiative of numerous international agencies, namely, a handbook for parliamentarians on implementing the Declaration into the work of Parliaments. He outlined national steps towards implementation that could be considered by States and indigenous peoples, such as the adoption of the Declaration by indigenous peoples as part of their governance and their constitutions and the adoption by States of implementation acts on the Declaration. 59. The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples described the Declaration as a testament to the sacrifices and tireless efforts of indigenous peoples. He noted that States and the international community must do more to transform the standards articulated in the Declaration from an aspiration to a reality and stated that all international standard-setting processes that affected indigenous peoples should conform fully to the standards of the Declaration. 60. Grand Chief John noted the cooperative efforts of the three mechanisms to work towards the implementation of the Declaration, and encouraged those States which had not yet endorsed the Declaration to take positive and constructive steps to do so. He stressed that the right to self-determination is a fundamental baseline right which is indispensible to the survival, dignity and well-being of indigenous peoples. 61. Observers raised questions regarding good practices in relation to indigenous peoples’ rights to their lands, territories and resources, as well as on strategies for securing responses to the questionnaire seeking the views of States on best practices regarding possible appropriate measures and implementation strategies in order to attain the goals of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Processes for implementing the Declaration within indigenous peoples’ communities and within the universal periodic review were also raised. 62. International Chief Littlechild noted that responses to the questionnaire continued to be received, and explained that the Expert Mechanism was considering both the issue of the low number of responses and the expansion of the questionnaire to address the implementation of the Declaration by indigenous peoples. He also noted examples of good practices by indigenous peoples to implement the Declaration, including its endorsement by indigenous peoples at the community, regional and national levels. He suggested that those States which were home to indigenous peoples should be asked about the implementation during the universal periodic review. 63. The Special Rapporteur noted legal and constitutional recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights to lands, territories and resources as good practices. He also highlighted as a 15