E/2008/43 E/C.19/2008/13 Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, engage indigenous representatives and invite the Chairperson of the Permanent Forum and other members of the Forum to participate. 47. The Permanent Forum is concerned about the growing impacts of climate change and environmental degradation on the lives and livelihoods of indigenous peoples around the world. The Forum recommends that the International Organization for Migration and other relevant organizations provide technical cooperation and operational assistance to those Governments and communities planning organized migration management solutions for climate change and environmental refugees and migrants, giving priority, according to the principle of free, prior and informed consent, to the assisted voluntary resettlement and reintegration of those indigenous communities whose territories are no longer inhabitable. Half-day discussion on the Pacific 48. The Pacific region is home to a diverse range of indigenous peoples, who speak 19 per cent of the world’s estimated more than 6,000 languages. Indigenous peoples in the Pacific Islands are still linked to their communal land, indigenous belief systems, spirituality and customary law, which form the social, economic and political basis for peaceful coexistence. 49. Indigenous peoples in the Pacific region face a range of challenges because they are living in sensitive zones where the effects of climate change are most devastating. The region is subjected to the impact of global warming, caused by excessive fossil fuel burning, atmospheric pollution and deforestation of the land. Many small island States do not have access to and do not benefit from the transfer of technology. Migration is another issue. Many indigenous peoples are either migrating to other countries in the region or are experiencing the intrusion of migrants on their indigenous territories. Furthermore, many indigenous peoples are becoming environmental refugees, which is a serious and pressing issue. 50. The Permanent Forum notes the urgent need for technical assistance and development cooperation in the Pacific region in order to build the capacity of Pacific island nations to implement human rights standards and develop local institutions to promote human rights. This should be accompanied by efforts to promote increased ratification of human rights treaties within the region and their domestic implementation. 51. The Permanent Forum recommends that the Pacific States endorse and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 52. The Permanent Forum recommends that an expert seminar be held, without financial implications, and invites the participation of the Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination and the Special Committee on Decolonization, to examine the impact of the United Nations decolonization process on indigenous peoples of the Non-Self-Governing Territories that are on the United Nations list of Non-Self-Governing Territories. The Forum requests that independent experts and the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights and fundamental freedoms of indigenous peoples be invited to participate in the seminar. Furthermore, the Forum requests that indigenous peoples under Non-Self-Governing Territories status also be invited. 08-33882 9