A/RES/72/155 Rights of indigenous peoples Recognizing the importance of facilitating indigenous peoples’ livelihoods, which may be achieved by, inter alia, the recognition of their traditions, adequate public policies and economic empowerment, Recognizing also that the economic empowerment, inclusion and development of indigenous peoples, including through the establishment of indigenous -owned businesses, can enable them to improve their social, cultural, civil and political engagement, achieve greater economic independence and build more sustainable and resilient communities, and noting the contribution of indigenous peoples to the broader economy, Concerned about the extreme disadvantages that indigenous peoples have typically faced across a range of social and economic indicators and about the impediments to their full enjoyment of their rights, Stressing the need to pay particular attention to the rights and special needs of indigenous women, children, youth, older persons and persons with disabilities, as set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, including in the process of protecting and promoting their access to justice, 1. Notes with appreciation the work of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Special Rapporteur of the Human Rights Council on the rights of indigenous peoples, takes note of the report of the Special Rapporteur, 11 and encourages all Governments to respond favourably to her requests for visits; 2. Urges Governments and the United Nations system, in consultation and cooperation with indigenous peoples through their representatives and institutions, to continue to implement, when appropriate, measures at the national level, includin g legislative, policy and administrative measures, to achieve the ends of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples 5 and to promote awareness of it among all sectors of society, including members of legislatures, the judiciary and the civil service, as well as among indigenous peoples, and invites international and regional organizations, within their respective mandates, national human rights institutions, where they exist, civil society, including non-governmental organizations, and other relevant actors to contribute to those efforts; 3. Underscores the importance of implementing the outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, 6 and reiterates the commitment of Member States to cooperating with indigenous peoples, through their own representative institutions, to develop and implement national action plans, strategies or other measures, where relevant, to achieve the ends of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; 4. Encourages the leadership of the Secretary-General and of the UnderSecretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, as the responsible senior official of the United Nations system, in overseeing the implementation of and following up on the system-wide action plan to ensure a coherent approach to achieving the ends of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, raising awareness of the rights of indigenous peoples and increasing the coherence of the activities of the system in this regard, and encourages the funds, programmes and specialized agencies of the United Nations system, resident coordinators and United Nations country teams to implement this plan in full alignment with national development needs and priorities; __________________ 11 4/7 A/72/186. 17-22961 (E)