E/2021/43 E/C.19/2021/10 lands, which they have developed in a sustainable manner. This is especially important given that conflicts frequently arise over competition for natural resources, including in border regions, as the traditional territories of indigenous peoples often straddle national borders. Indigenous peoples’ management of these lands, territor ies and resources is not only good for the environment and biological diversity, but is also important for maintaining international peace and security. 6. It is also vital that Governments recognize indigenous peoples’ institutions, especially their representative institutions. These institutions help promote and protect the cultures, livelihoods, identities and languages of indigenous peoples and other essential elements of their lives. These institutions should be supported and strengthened as essential elements of diverse and multicultural States. The Permanent Forum notes that many Governments already recognize indigenous peoples’ representative institutions at the municipal and national levels. However, they are not yet recognized at the international level. 7. The recognition of indigenous peoples’ representative institutions is particularly pertinent in conflict-affected and post-conflict regions. Indigenous peoples’ role in peacebuilding is essential for reconciliation and for strengthening resilienc e to extremism and radicalization, particularly among indigenous youth. Indigenous peoples’ institutions should be viewed by States as allies in the efforts of the Security Council to establish peace and security. 8. Peace and security are important at all levels. The Permanent Forum is deeply troubled by continuing accounts of violence against indigenous women and girls across the globe. The Permanent Forum hears the stories of indigenous women and girls who are murdered or go missing year after year, with little visible progress. Furthermore, such violence is perpetrated with callous impunity that must be addressed with a renewed sense of urgency. 9. The Permanent Forum is concerned by the killings, violence and harassment targeted at indigenous human rights defenders, which are also frequently committed with impunity. The Permanent Forum is concerned that, despite international condemnation, these criminal acts of violence persist, especially in a small number of countries in South and Central America, Africa and Asia. 10. The Permanent Forum recognizes the importance of the signing of the Final Agreement for Ending the Conflict and Building a Stable and Lasting Peace in Colombia. The Permanent Forum urges Colombia to promote and guarantee the rights of indigenous peoples, in particular by achieving the goals and indicators set out in the “ethnic chapter” of the peace agreement. The Permanent Forum urges the Special Jurisdiction for Peace of Colombia to prioritize the conduct of a high -profile investigation to highlight the violations of the collective rights of indigenous peoples that occurred during the armed conflict and to identify the patterns and perpetrators of this violence. 11. Climate change threatens the very existence of many communities in both t he immediate and long term, while deforestation, increased urbanization and industrial agriculture continue to put pressure on the territories and ecosystems in which indigenous peoples live. Large-scale infrastructure development and the exploitation of natural resources, including minerals critical for so-called green technologies, in indigenous territories by private and State-owned companies, without the participation and consent of the affected peoples, leads to the loss of livelihoods, culture and identity. Moreover, legitimate protests and opposition to such activities on indigenous lands are increasingly being criminalized. 12. The global engagement of indigenous peoples at the international level has led to some positive institutional developments, including the establishment of the Local 6/29 21-06102