E/2016/43 E/C.19/2016/11 and knowledge, and to secure the rights of indigenous peoples to intellectual property. 45. While it is recognized that land and environmental degradation are factors of global concern, they have caused severe and stressful negative impacts among indigenous peoples as a result of land mismanagement such as the overexploitation of natural resources through factors such as mining and the overutilization of forest wood (timber) and other products. This has resulted in soil and water degradation, leading to the acceleration of the effects of climate change, low food production and uncertain livelihoods for communities. The Permanent Forum recommends that States stop development projects on indigenous peoples’ lands that lack environmental impact assessments and certificates of free, prior and informed consent. Culture 46. The Permanent Forum recognizes the recent formation of an ad hoc working group on international repatriation, with the participation of States, indigenous peoples and specialized agencies of the United Nations system, including the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, UNESCO, and the Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights, which was reported at the 2016 session as another positive step forward in the implementation of recommendation No. 8 of the Forum at its fourteenth session. 47. The Permanent Forum requests UNESCO to host a joint seminar with the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other relevant United Nations mechanisms for the purpose of exploring the development of a new international mechanism on the repatriation of ceremonial objects and human remains. Furthermore, the Forum calls upon all States with national repositories of indigenous cultural items and ancestral remains, including museums and universities, to work with UNESCO to create an international database and inventory of these items accessible to indigenous peoples as a basis for initiating dialogue. 48. The first World Indigenous Games, held in Palmas, Brazil, in November 2015, illustrates and highlights the implementation of the six mandated areas of the Permanent Forum, as contained in articles 3, 31 and 43 of the United Nations Declaration, among others. The leadership of the Inter-Tribal Committee of Brazil and the peoples and Government of Brazil are commended for this endeavour to uphold the survival, dignity and well-being of indigenous peoples of the world. The Forum welcomes the organization of the second Games, planned for Canada in 2017. Discussion on the theme “Indigenous peoples: conflict, peace and resolution” 49. Indigenous peoples often find themselves involved in situations of conflict, mostly relating to their lands, territories and resources or their civil, political, cultural, social and economic rights. During violent conflicts, indigenous peoples are often among the most vulnerable groups as a result of the situations of poverty, political marginalization and systemic discrimination that many still face today. In nearly every region of the world, indigenous peoples are being displaced and severely affected by violence on their lands and territories. In some countries, indigenous peoples are victims of massacres carried out by the army or paramilitary 16-08740 13/23