E/2010/43 E/C.19/2010/15 organizations should have as its point of departure the co-administration and co-implementation of the projects. 25. The Permanent Forum recommends that when planning, preparing and implementing its programmes and projects, IFAD conduct the necessary investigations so as to ensure that the particularities and cultural sensitivities of indigenous peoples involved in and affected by the programmes and projects are taken into account. The Permanent Forum underlines the fact that indigenous peoples are to be engaged as an active and equal partner in all processes and phases of programmes and projects. III. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations 26. The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues held its in-depth dialogue with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) on 22 May 2009. The in-depth dialogue was the first of its kind, and the Permanent Forum welcomes the participation of FAO and expresses its appreciation for the detailed report submitted by the organization (E/C.19/2009/3/Add.3). c 27. FAO is a valuable partner of the Permanent Forum and an active participant in the Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Issues. FAO has been a leading proponent of supporting indigenous peoples in the field of communication for development. Observations on the dialogue 28. The Permanent Forum welcomes the continued work of FAO on issues related to food security and nutrition. FAO efforts in the area of biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resources management are also a valuable contribution, since the survival strategies and food security of many indigenous peoples are contingent upon the availability of and access to a healthy environment. Such initiatives demonstrate the organization’s increasing commitment to and willingness to working with indigenous peoples as partners or as active agents in change. 29. The Permanent Forum takes note of the information contained in the FAO report to the Forum and provided during the comprehensive dialogue, and appreciates FAO fieldwork, research and policy initiatives regarding indigenous peoples’ issues. The Permanent Forum notes in particular the commitment of a considerable number of FAO staff to indigenous issues, both in the field and at headquarters. 30. At the same time, the Permanent Forum takes note of the fact that FAO does not have a specific mandate to work on indigenous peoples’ issues or a specific unit responsible for dealing specifically with such issues. To date, issues relating to indigenous peoples have not been dealt with on a systematic basis at FAO, and related projects are frequently dependent on the goodwill and determination of individual staff members of the organization. FAO is not specifically mandated to work with indigenous peoples; its primary mandate is to work with the rural poor. __________________ c 10-36959 For a detailed narrative of the in-depth dialogue, see the summary prepared by the Department of Public Information (HR/4986), available at http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/ hr4986.doc.htm. 35