A/HRC/18/43 authorities. Indigenous peoples’ organizations also mentioned the necessity of promoting a study on the relationship between self-determination and sovereignty over natural resources. Some organizations noted that it could be helpful to identify the causes preventing the implementation of the Declaration, for example the absence of a definition of indigenous peoples. Some suggested that a convention on the rights of indigenous peoples could facilitate the enforcement of the rights contained in the Declaration, while others commented that the rights in the Declaration mirrored binding rights found in human rights treaties applied to the indigenous context. Regarding stakeholders, it was mentioned that indigenous youth must be engaged in the implementation of the Declaration. Some also called on States that had abstained in the vote on the Declaration in the General Assembly to change their position to one of support. 43. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) added that some of its activities were consistent with the Declaration, including the United Nations Indigenous Peoples Partnership. VII. Proposals to be submitted to the Human Rights Council 44. The Chairperson-Rapporteur of the Expert Mechanism opened the discussion on proposals to be submitted to the Human Rights Council, recalling Human Rights Council resolution 6/36. 45. Observers made recommendations for inclusion in the proposals to be submitted by the Expert Mechanism. These included recommendations for thematic issues to be taken up in the future and for follow-up to the first and second studies undertaken by the Expert Mechanism. Dr. Littlechild summarized some of the proposals raised by participants, including, inter alia, a thematic study on extractive industries, on cross-border issues or on traditional governance structures, the holding of an international expert seminar on truth and reconciliation processes, developing guidelines for the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, requesting that the Human Rights Council hold a half-day thematic panel discussion on the rights of indigenous peoples on an annual basis and having the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples as an agenda item at the Expert Mechanism session to be held in 2012. 46. The Board of the Voluntary Fund recommended that the members of the Expert Mechanism consider the possibility of making an appeal for contributions to all States, the United Nations system, foundations and other donors in support of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations in their next session report. VIII. Adoption of the report and proposals 47. At its last meeting, the Expert Mechanism adopted the final report on the study on indigenous peoples and the right to participate in decision-making and several proposals (see section II above). All proposals were adopted by consensus by the members of the Expert Mechanism. 48. Moreover, the members of the Expert Mechanism adopted a provisional agenda for the fifth session of the Expert Mechanism (see annex II). 12