E/2008/43 E/C.19/2008/13 form of ethnocide or linguistic genocide. It is essential, not only for the preservation of linguistic and cultural diversity, but also for the preservation of traditional indigenous knowledge and biological diversity, to take immediate and effective measures to prevent the impending irretrievable loss that language extinction entails. This can be done only by guaranteeing indigenous peoples’ right to self-determination and ensuring that all of their rights are protected and promoted. 94. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other relevant human rights standards should be utilized as the basis on which to develop policies and laws related to the promotion and strengthening of indigenous languages. 95. The Permanent Forum notes that the draft Nordic Saami Convention stands out as an example of good practice in empowering indigenous peoples to preserve and revitalize their languages. The Forum therefore encourages the Nordic States to support the process of the Saami Convention with a view to their adoption of it in due course. 96. The Permanent Forum invites UNESCO to call jointly for a world conference on linguistic diversity, indigenous languages, identity and education. The United Nations Member States are encouraged to provide political and financial support for such a conference. 97. The Permanent Forum calls on States to immediately support indigenous peoples’ language revitalization efforts. This includes supporting the master apprentice programmes and assessment of language status, and the creation of increased links between formal schools and the family so that there is a continuous use of indigenous languages. 98. The Permanent Forum welcomes the report of the international expert group meeting on indigenous languages, held in New York from 8 to 10 January 2008, and recommends that States and United Nations agencies engage with indigenous peoples to develop strategies to implement the recommendations of the report. 99. In particular, the Forum emphasizes the recommendations from the expert group meeting contained in paragraphs 40 (c), (d), (e), (f) and (n), 42 (a), (b), (c) and (f), 43 (b), 44 (b) and (c) and 45 of its report. 6 Ongoing priorities and themes Indigenous children and youth 100. The Permanent Forum welcomes the recognition by UNICEF of the valuable contributions indigenous children and youth can make in their local communities to ensure the sustainability of climate change adaptation and mitigation plans. The Forum urges the Fund to continue to raise awareness of the impact of climate change on indigenous children and youth, and requests that it ensure the effective participation of indigenous children and youth in the discussions on and solutions to environmental issues in accordance with article 12 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. 101. The Permanent Forum expresses its appreciation to the Indigenous Youth Caucus and calls for its continued, effective participation in the sessions of the __________________ 6 16 E/C.19/2008/3. 08-33882