A/HRC/24/41/Add.3 consultation. Nonetheless, it is clear that, despite some positive developments, much more needs to be done to improve the human rights situation of indigenous peoples in Asia. The Special Rapporteur looks forward to following up with each of the Governments concerned in relation to their specific country situations. Recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights 38. The implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and core international human rights conventions is fundamental to the promotion and protection of the rights of indigenous peoples. Broader ratification of International Labour Organization Convention No. 169 concerning Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries would be of significant assistance to Governments in the implementation of their human rights obligations regarding indigenous and tribal peoples in their countries. 39. Asian States should commit to recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples as set out in international instruments, irrespective of the terminology used under national law and policy to identify these groups, and they should be guided by the manner in which these groups perceive and define themselves. This commitment should be accompanied by an acknowledgement of the widespread discrimination and marginalization that these groups face, and their vulnerable status as a result of their socio-economic and political circumstances. 40. There is a continued need to develop new initiatives and reform existing ones, in consultation and in real partnership with indigenous peoples, to conform to international standards requiring genuine respect for cultural integrity and selfdetermination. In this connection, States should undertake a review of their laws and policies in light of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 41. Coordinated and systematic dialogue with indigenous peoples is necessary to secure their rights. This dialogue should include decision makers at the ministerial level and result in the sensitization of political leaders to indigenous rights. Institutional reform of existing government structures affecting the realization of indigenous peoples’ rights is also important to accomplish in many contexts. Reforms should address issues around credibility, transparency and capacity of existing institutional arrangements. Governmental bodies that are responsible for programmes directly related to indigenous peoples’ rights should be structured so that they are directly accountable to, and representative of, indigenous peoples, with any vestiges of paternalism or assimilation eradicated. 42. All strategies, policies and programmes that have the pursuit of national unity and development as their objective must be fully consistent with respect for indigenous peoples’ rights. This implies that all development policies that are premised on notions of indigenous peoples as primitive and backwards, and in need of assimilation into mainstream society, should be abandoned and replaced with policies that recognize these groups as self-determining peoples capable of exercising their right to choose their own social, cultural and economic development path. Securing rights to land, territories and resources, with a focus on extractive industries 43. As with other indigenous peoples throughout the world, securing rights over land and natural resources for indigenous peoples in the Asia region is fundamental to their self-determination and is a prerequisite for them to be able to survive as distinct peoples. 44. Yet, ownership and control of their lands and territories continue to be denied to many indigenous communities throughout the Asia region. States should ensure 12