E/2009/43 E/C.19/2009/14 Chapter IV Organization of the session A. Opening and duration of the session 110. The Permanent Forum held its eighth session at United Nations Headquarters from 18 to 29 May 2009. It held 17 formal and 1 closed meetings to consider items on the agenda and seven informal meetings for consultations among members of the Forum. 111. At its 1st meeting, on 18 May, the eighth session was opened by the Assistant Secretary-General for the Department for Economic and Social Affairs and Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women. At the opening ceremony, Tododaho Sid Hill, Chief of the Onondaga Nation, delivered the welcome address. Also, a ceremonial recognition of indigenous women was held. 112. At the same meeting, the President of the General Assembly made a statement. Statements were made by the Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, the Assistant Secretary-General for the Department for Economic and Social Affairs and Special Adviser of the Secretary-General on Gender Issues and Advancement of Women, and Kim Morf, great-granddaughter of Chief Deskaheh of the Haudenosaunee Nation who addressed the League of Nations in 1923. 113. Also at the first meeting, a statement was made by Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, Chairperson of the eighth session of the Forum. B. Attendance 114. Members of the Forum and representatives of Governments, United Nations entities, intergovernmental organizations and bodies and non-governmental and indigenous organizations attended the session. The list of participants is contained in E/C.19/2009/INF/2. C. Election of officers 115. At its 1st meeting, on 18 May, the Forum elected the following members of the Bureau by acclamation: Chairperson: Victoria Tauli-Corpuz Vice-Chairpersons: Tonya Gonella Frichner Margaret Lokawua Elisa Canqui Mollo Pavel Sulyandziga Rapporteur: Michael Dodson 09-36351 17