A/HRC/27/64
against the most marginalized groups of young people. He noted that a majority of the
world’s youth lived in rural settings in developing countries, with a lack of access to
productive resources, and relied on their own labour to earn a living. Thus, it was vital to
ensure that indigenous youth received support to participate in decision-making related to
efforts aimed at the creation of decent rural employment, and at sustainable agricultural
livelihoods and food production.
33.
International Chief Littlechild noted the need to ensure that the post-2015
development agenda outcome document used the term “indigenous peoples” consistently
with the Declaration. He referred delegations to the substantial research that had already
been completed on the term “indigenous peoples”, which served to protect the recognition
of indigenous peoples. That research included a legal opinion produced for the Permanent
Forum on Indigenous Issues. He highlighted the need to make the linkages between
business and human rights in the context of the post-2015 development agenda, and to
ensure the continued participation of indigenous peoples.
V.
World Conference on Indigenous Peoples
34.
Mr. Tsykarev introduced the agenda item on the World Conference on Indigenous
Peoples, noting the importance of that meeting for advancing the human rights of
indigenous peoples. He noted the Expert Mechanism’s commitment to working towards a
successful World Conference, as one of the United Nations bodies specifically identified in
General Assembly resolution 66/296, as well as its continued calls for the full, equal and
effective participation of indigenous peoples at all stages of the World Conference,
including its preparatory meetings. He invited participants to refer to the Expert
Mechanism’s studies and advice to inform the development of the outcome document.
35.
Mr. Gregoire, Special Adviser to the President of the General Assembly for the
World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, and Mr. Malezer, Indigenous Advisor to the
President of the General Assembly, joined the session from New York via videoconference
on 7 July 2014. Mr. Gregoire indicated that the zero draft would be available soon for
discussion and would form the basis for discussions at the informal interactive consultation
being held on 16 July 2014. Mr. Malezer indicated that he and Mirna Cunningham, the
other Indigenous Advisor to the President of the General Assembly, had been fully
involved in the process to date.
36.
The Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples indicated that it would
be important for the four themes outlined in the Alta outcome document to be reflected in
the zero outcome document. The Chair of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues,
Ms. Sambo Dorough, agreed, and indicated that it was positive to see the equity of advisors,
namely two indigenous advisors and two State advisors, as well as reliance on the Alta
outcome document. Hjalmar Dahl, co-Chair of the Global Coordinating Group, emphasized
that the final outcome document should be concise and action-oriented, with concrete
recommendations, time frames and follow-up mechanisms, and should reflect the priorities
of all indigenous regions.
37.
International Chief Littlechild stated that from a preliminary review of the outcome
document, he was pleased to note that several elements of the Expert Mechanism’s work
were reflected in the zero draft, specifically in relation to access to justice and to the
interventions made by the Expert Mechanism at the informal interactive hearing held in
June 2014 in New York. Furthermore, he was encouraged by the adherence to Human
Rights Council resolution 24/10, paragraph 8 (b), wherein the Human Rights Council
recommends that the studies and advice of the Expert Mechanism be considered in the
preparatory process to the World Conference. He noted that the Expert Mechanism’s
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