E/2011/43 E/C.19/2011/14 10 countries over the next five years and to the Regional Initiative on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Development in Asia and the Pacific through UNIPP. 10. The Permanent Forum notes the progress achieved by the Regional Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the implementation of a programme on electoral processes with a focus on indigenous women and youth. However, the Permanent Forum is concerned about the Regional Initiative on Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Development in Asia and the Pacific, a programme that has critically contributed to promoting indigenous peoples’ issues and rights in the region. The Permanent Forum urges UNDP to maintain and strengthen this important programme. 11. The Permanent Forum recommends that OHCHR and UNDP continue their work in support of national human rights institutions and focus on capacity development support to promote and protect indigenous peoples’ rights. 12. The Permanent Forum notes the progress made in promoting indigenous peoples’ rights through the Programme to Promote ILO Convention No. 169 (PRO169). The Permanent Forum urges ILO to maintain and strengthen this important project/programme. 13. The Permanent Forum recommends: (a) using the model of engaging directly with indigenous peoples that is used by the small grants programme delivery mechanism, developed by UNDP since 1992 for implementation of projects at the local level; and (b) strengthen engagement with indigenous peoples in developing innovative tools and methodologies that are suited to and respectful of their cultures and knowledge. 14. The Permanent Forum recommends that UNDP and other United Nations agencies establish a special programme for indigenous professionals that will serve as an entry point inclusion of these professionals as UNDP staff. This will significantly enrich diversity in human development views and knowledge within the organization. 15. The Permanent Forum recommends that the Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues compile a database on case studies showing the progress made by Member States and organizations regarding indigenous youth rights in the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Environment 16. The environment is one of the six substantive areas that the Permanent Forum is mandated to address, and covers a range of issues, including land rights, land use, natural resources, water, oceans, wetlands, fishing, climate change, forests, desertification, pollution, traditional knowledge and access, and benefit-sharing. Environmental issues are also incorporated into a number of articles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, specifically in relation to lands, territories and resources. Articles 25 to 32 outline the rights of indigenous peoples in relation to maintaining and strengthening their spiritual relationship with lands, territories and resources, including the right to own, develop and control their lands, to conserve and protect the environment and the production capacity of lands, to determine development on their lands and to maintain, control, protect and 4 11-37063