A/HRC/21/52 20. Grand Chief John, Chairperson of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, outlined the recommendations of the Permanent Forum relating to the World Conference contained in the report on its eleventh session.3 21. Ms. Lasimbang and the Chairperson-Rapporteur expressed concern that State representatives from Asia or Africa did not make statements concerning the agenda item. 22. Mr. Morales Morales noted that 2014 would also mark the end of the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People, and the Chairperson-Rapporteur called for the establishment of a Third International Decade. In Mr. Morales’ view, the World Conference should take place over three days. 23. Mr. Henriksen expressed his gratitude for observers’ and experts’ views and suggestions, noting that they would be considered in future consultations. He assured observers that he and his co-facilitator, Ambassador Luís Alfonso de Alba of the Permanent Mission of Mexico to the United Nations in New York, were open to further communications. V. Follow-up to thematic studies and advice 24. Mr. Morales Morales, in introducing the Expert Mechanism’s follow-up report on indigenous peoples and the right to participate in decision-making, with a focus on extractive industries, highlighted the duty to ensure free, prior and informed consent and the permanent sovereignty of indigenous peoples over natural resources. 25. The Chairperson-Rapporteur provided a brief summary of the conference room paper prepared by the Expert Mechanism entitled, “Comment on the Human Rights Council’s Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights as related to indigenous peoples and the right to participate in decision-making with a focus on extractive Industries” (A/HRC/EMRIP/2012/CRP.1). The Chairperson-Rapporteur noted the importance of ongoing and future collaboration between the Working Group on the issue of human rights and transnational corporations and other business enterprises, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Expert Mechanism to promote the effective implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples in relation to the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights. 26. Observers noted that the follow-up report on indigenous peoples and the right to participate in decision-making, with a focus on extractive industries provided an important opportunity for engagement on one of the most pressing issues facing indigenous peoples around the world. Observers also raised concerns that reliance on voluntary compliance by corporate interests failed to address the power imbalance that typically existed between indigenous peoples and the proponents of extractive development. Respect for indigenous peoples’ right to free, prior and informed consent was emphasized as a key component in the development of improved relations among indigenous peoples, States and extractive industries, including the right of indigenous peoples to decide not to proceed with resource development if they so choose. 27. Some States noted that agreements between indigenous peoples and extractive companies had been reached in relation to extractive projects, and described different 3 10 See Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2012, Supplement No. 23 (E/2012/43E/C.19/2012/13).