E/2006/43
E/C.19/2006/11
their agenda. The Permanent Forum was also pleased to note that the participation
of United Nations field staff had been included in the meeting and encourages other
intergovernmental entities to join the group.
170. The Permanent Forum welcomes the invitation extended by the Maskwacis
Cree and the Confederacy of Treaty Six Chiefs to the members and the secretariat to
attend the United Nations Expert Seminar on treaties, agreements and other
constructive arrangements between States and indigenous peoples at the Samson
Cree Nation from 25 to 27 September 2006. This is a historic first United Nations
expert meeting to be held on indigenous treaty territory.
171. The Permanent Forum notes with appreciation the establishment of a Voluntary
Fund by WIPO to enable the participation of indigenous representatives in the work
of the WIPO Intergovernmental Committee on traditional knowledge and traditional
cultural expressions, and encourages donors to contribute to the Trust Fund.
172. The Permanent Forum, taking into account the recommendation of the
International Technical Workshop on Indigenous Traditional Knowledge
(E/C.19/2006/2, para. 41) regarding a study on customary laws pertaining to
indigenous traditional knowledge, decides to appoint Michael Dodson as Special
Rapporteur charged with preparing, within existing resources, a concept paper on
the scope of the study that would investigate to what extent such customary laws
should be reflected in international and national standards addressing traditional
knowledge, and requests the Special Rapporteur to report to the Permanent Forum at
its sixth session on this matter. The study would include an analysis of indigenous
customary law as a potential sui generis system for protecting indigenous traditional
knowledge. Relevant organizations of the system should collaborate to promote
respect for and recognition of the customary legal systems of indigenous
populations pertaining to indigenous knowledge in national legislation and policies
as well as with regard to their application.
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