E/2022/43 E/C.19/2022/11 achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, including in the contexts of biodiversity, climate change, desertification and the enjoyment of human rights by indigenous peoples, in particular efforts to combat violence against indigenous women and children. The Permanent Forum also in vites Member States to enhance the effective participation of indigenous peoples in the design and implementation of efforts in the context the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development; the International Decade for Action, “Water for Sustainable Development”, 2018–2028; the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration; and the International Decade of Indigenous Languages. 108. The Permanent Forum welcomes the call of the Group of Friends of Indigenous Peoples and other Member States to include indigenous peoples in the preparation of voluntary national reviews presented at the high-level political forum on sustainable development. 109. The Permanent Forum invites Member States to organize intersessional meetings to discuss cooperation on pertinent topics with the Permanent Forum. 110. The Permanent Forum encourages Member States to ensure a stronger presence and stronger participation during all meetings organized by the Permanent Forum and the Secretariat. Regional dialogues: indigenous peoples and post-pandemic recovery (item 5 (e)) 111. The Permanent Forum held seven dialogues aimed at engaging participants in deeper dialogue on relevant issues and on challenges faced by indigenous peoples in the various regions, including in the context of recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Africa 112. The Permanent Forum continues to be concerned by the lack of participation of African indigenous peoples. The Permanent Forum recommends that the General Assembly encourage relevant United Nations entities to make the necessary financial and administrative arrangements that allow for the participation of indigenous peoples at relevant United Nations meetings, including online. 113. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the livelihoods of indigenous peoples, including nomadic peoples. Furthermore, the pandemic has exacerbated the plight of young women with regard to forced early marriage, female genital mutilation and lack of access to health care. The Permanent Forum calls on Member States to implement effective measures to address these challenges in their post-pandemic recovery efforts. 114. The Permanent Forum welcomes the decision by the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights to promote and protect the rights of non-dominant minorities in Africa, who are distinct from indigenous populations and/or communities. While recognizing the importance of the rights of persons belonging to minorities, the Permanent Forum is concerned that the expanded mandate could compromise the current Commission standards for promoting the rights of indigenous peoples. The Permanent Forum therefore urges the Commission to establish a separate working group on minority rights. The Permanent Forum calls on the Comm ission to work closely with it, indigenous peoples representatives from Africa, and United Nations entities to highlight and advance the recognition, rights and participation of indigenous peoples at the regional and national levels. Furthermore, the Perma nent Forum recommends that the Commission designate a focal point on indigenous peoples. 20/27 22-07676