A/HRC/21/52 35. Observers consistently emphasized the importance of indigenous languages and cultures to the identities and well-being of indigenous nations and communities. Various observers noted the importance of indigenous peoples’ control over the development of programmes, policies and laws designed to promote and protect indigenous peoples’ languages and cultures, and shared strategies for protecting and revitalizing indigenous peoples’ languages and cultures. 36. Observers discussed concerns relating to the loss of indigenous peoples’ cultures and languages, including, in some cases, their extinction, especially when threatened by dominant majority cultures and the negative impact of discriminatory laws. Observers shared challenges arising from the lack of recognition of indigenous peoples’ languages in national laws and raised concerns relating to the continued repression of the use of indigenous peoples’ languages by indigenous children in state custody. Observers emphasized the strong connection between indigenous peoples’ rights to languages and cultures and their rights relating to lands, territories and resources, noting that indigenous peoples’ cultures and languages were indivisible from their relationship to their lands, territories and resources. One observer highlighted the relationship between culture and sovereignty, noting that, for his people, culture was sovereignty and sovereignty was culture, a perspective that was met with agreement from other observers. 37. Ms. Lasimbang emphasized the need for recognition and acceptance of the positive value of indigenous languages and cultures to ensure cultural flexibility in local governing structures, and to provide means to communities for protecting languages and cultures. She also noted that programmes and measures to address the promotion and protection of indigenous languages and culture should not be implemented without adequate reflection and the participation of indigenous peoples themselves. Ms. Lasimbang also expressed concern about existing patriarchal systems that discriminated against women, thus hampering their roles in transmitting linguistic and cultural values and norms. 38. Mr. Morales Morales expressed his appreciation for the open dialogue on the issue of cultures and languages of indigenous peoples, and echoed concerns expressed about the disappearance of languages and cultures. He offered his congratulations to those indigenous youth who had sought to learn their indigenous languages, and urged States to work with indigenous peoples who were seeking to revitalize their languages and cultures. 39. Mr. Bambanze discussed the role of indigenous peoples’ languages and cultures in the preservation of indigenous identity and urged States to promote and protect indigenous languages and cultures, including by implementing the recommendations of the Expert Mechanism. 40. The Chairperson-Rapporteur acknowledged the importance of the State contributions to the protection of the languages and cultures of indigenous peoples and thanked the observers for their valuable input. VII. United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 41. Prior to opening discussion on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Chairperson-Rapporteur invited Shankar Limbu, a member of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations, to address the participants of the session. 42. Mr. Limbu welcomed the 16 beneficiaries of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations and noted the significant impact of past beneficiaries of the Fund. He also acknowledged recommendations received from observers to the fifth session of the 12