A/HRC/16/46 standing and entrenched challenges, such as discrimination on the basis of work and descent, including caste and analogous forms of bias, which require specific attention. Women shoulder even more complex burdens of poverty, ethnic prejudice and genderbased restrictions. 6. Undue legal restrictions on the practice of traditional livelihoods and other economic activities of minorities still exist in some countries. They may face barriers in their access to credit or loans for businesses or may live in the poorest or most remote regions where governments have taken fewer measures to provide for economic and social development opportunities. Equally, large-scale economic development projects or commercial activities carried out on the lands and territories where minorities live, without prior consultation with these minorities, have had negative outcomes, including forced displacement, the perpetuation of poverty and, in some cases, violence, including sexual violence. 7. The Declaration on the Rights of Persons Belonging to National or Ethnic, Religious and Linguistic Minorities of 1992 states that persons belonging to minorities have the right to participate effectively in economic and public life (art. 2, para. 2). It also states that ensuring that persons belonging to minorities are “an integral part of the development of society as a whole” is necessary to maintain or build harmonious and respectful relations within society (sixth preambular paragraph). The Declaration highlights the fact that States should consider appropriate measures so that persons belonging to minorities may participate fully in the economic progress and development in their country (art. 4, para. 5). The specialized agencies and other organizations of the United Nations system are to contribute to these goals within their respective fields of competence (art. 9). 8. Several factors can exacerbate the exclusion of minorities, including deteriorating economic conditions, ethnic, religious, cultural or sectarian tensions or discrimination. In many countries, minorities do not enjoy their economic and social rights fully owing to unequal regional distribution of resources and services and a lack of investments and basic infrastructure in regions where minorities live. The numerical disadvantage of minority status can also translate into lack of political power and exclusion from effective participation in governance to protect rights or in access to mechanisms of justice when rights are violated. 9. The past decade has also brought new and unanticipated challenges, including the global food and economic crises, and climate change. These have had a significant impact on global governance and, in particular, on the vulnerability of minorities. Times of economic crisis can present particular challenges to minorities, which may be already subject to societal discrimination and stigma. Social pressures to blame those who have the least power can become explosive unless Governments play a moderating role and guarantee protection from violence and abuse. At the same time, policy measures to eradicate poverty are being compromised by the impact of the economic crisis and the constraints on international development assistance. 10. The effects of environmental degradation and climate change, including on access to food, water, habitats and livelihoods, are having a significant and disproportionate impact on minority groups. Climate change may threaten the very existence of minorities living in vulnerable environments. Insufficient attention to collecting accurate information about these consequences for minorities can render counteracting measures weak and inadequate. 11. Effective participation of minorities in economic life requires the creation of an enabling environment in the social, legal and political spheres, promoting respect for and the protection and fulfilment of the rights of minorities. The full implementation of the recommendations made by the Forum on Minority Issues, at its two previous sessions, on education and on the political participation of minorities are key elements in ensuring that minorities are protected and empowered to exercise effective participation in all areas of 4