A/67/301 indigenous peoples to the Conference of the Parties and its subsidiary bodies in the context of negotiations. 65. With respect to participation in processes related to the Framework Convention on Climate Change, indigenous peoples’ organizations can apply for observer status to participate in sessions of the bodies of the Convention. However, an issue of continuing importance to indigenous peoples is the creation of modalities for their participation in negotiations on the processes related to the Convention. In this connection, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues has called upon the States parties to the Convention to develop mechanisms to promote the participation of indigenous peoples in all aspects of the international dialogue on climate change (E/2011/43-E/C.19/2011/14, para. 21). In addition, the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change exists as a joint indigenous caucus to spearhead efforts to influence decisions within the climate change regime. 6. United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development 66. A related process in which indigenous peoples have been active is the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, which was held from 20 to 22 June 2012 in Rio de Janeiro and was attended by heads of State, international institutions, non-governmental organizations and other relevant stakeholders. The conference marked the twentieth anniversary of the adoption of the three environmental conventions mentioned in paragraph 63 above at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Also adopted at that conference was Agenda 21, a plan of action addressing various issues related to environmental protection, including economic and social development, conservation and resource management and strengthening the role of “major groups”, a designation that includes indigenous peoples. The objective of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development was to build on commitments made at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in 1992 and to adopt clear and practical measures which would support and advance sustainable development. 67. In its resolution 64/236 calling for the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, the General Assembly encouraged participation of all “major groups” in all stages of the preparatory process and provided for their formal role in that process and in the conference itself. As one of the major groups, indigenous peoples have engaged in discussions with United Nations actors and Member States in both formal and informal settings, contributing to the final outcome document, known as “The future we want”, contained in General Assembly resolution 66/288. In a submission during the consultations on the outcome document, indigenous peoples from Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia, Africa and North America called for the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to be a principle framework for the realization of sustainable development. The outcome document specifically recognizes the importance of the Declaration in the context of global, regional, national and subnational implementation of sustainable development strategies. 68. In spite of this recognition, the final text of the document was considered to be largely uninspiring and a disappointment to indigenous peoples for its failure to integrate a human rights approach adequately into environmental protection. For example, while the final text recognizes the importance of strong and effective legal 12-46087 17