A/69/267 would constitute discrimination in effect, as would the unequal treatment of persons whose situations are objectively the same. 5 The Committee thereby concluded that “special measures are not an exception to the principle of non -discrimination but are integral to its meaning”. 6 28. Following this reasoning, the Special Rapporteur emphasizes that there can be no doubt about the pertinence and necessity of adopting special measures to overcome discrimination against indigenous peoples, which is reflected in their marginalized situation of in all parts of the world, and to assist them in progressively achieving their economic, social and cultural rights. 29. Given that non-discrimination in the context of indigenous peoples has both an individual and a collective dimension, and that non-discrimination and selfdetermination are complementary and intertwined principles that permeate economic, cultural and social rights as they apply to indigenous peoples, special measures should, accordingly, not only address the socioeconomic gaps between the indigenous and non-indigenous sectors of society but also remove discriminatory barriers to the exercise of their right to self-determined development and cultural integrity. IV. Lessons learned from current efforts to achieve the economic, social and cultural rights of indigenous peoples A. Failure of the Millennium Development Goals to embody human rights obligations, including the rights of indigenous peoples 30. While the rights of indigenous peoples are clearly defined by the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and an increasing body of knowledge regarding its implications and operationalization is being developed, huge implementation challenges remain, including in the context of economic, social and cultural rights. 31. This implementation gap is sadly reflected by the failure of the international community to use the Millennium Development Goals as a vehicle to overcome discrimination and achieve substantial equality for indigenous peoples in the context of their development. The eight quantifiable Goals, which were to be achieved by 2015, were derived from the Millennium Declaration, adopted by the General Assembly in September 2000. Indigenous peoples, and civil society in general, were not formally involved in the formulation of the Goals and neither the Goals nor the related targets or indicators have any specific reference to the situation of indigenous peoples. 32. This omission raised the alarm both among indigenous peoples and within the United Nations system. In 2005, the Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Issues, which comprises more than 30 United Nations agenc ies, funds and programmes and international organizations, expressed its concern that this omission of indigenous peoples “… may in fact adversely impact their communities by deepening the discrimination faced by indigenous peoples and by accelerating __________________ 5 6 14-58847 CERD/C/GC/32, para. 8. Ibid, para. 20. 9/23