Considering the rapid rate of disappearance of indigenous languages and the fact that their reclamation and revitalization will require a sustained effort by indigenous peoples, Member States and the United Nations system, the Forum recommends that the General Assembly proclaim an “International Decade on Indigenous Languages”, to begin in 2021 or as soon as possible.
The Permanent Forum acknowledges the importance of collaboration across all sectors to ensure that Indigenous Peoples’ languages continue to thrive for generations. In that regard, the Permanent Forum calls upon large technological companies to support the development and accessibility of digital tools for the expansion and increased use of Indigenous Peoples’ languages with the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples.
The 2030 Agenda is now in its fourth year of implementation, yet few countries refer to indigenous peoples in their voluntary national reviews. The Permanent Forum therefore urges countries undertaking voluntary national reviews at the high-level political forum on sustainable development to include indigenous peoples under all Sustainable Development Goals.
The Permanent Forum urges Member States to establish permanent financing structures for ensuring the protection of the language initiatives of indigenous peoples, such as the Giellagáldu project in Finland, Norway and Sweden.
The Permanent Forum requests the Global Environment Facility, as well as other funding mechanisms, to prioritize support for conservation approaches that are led or co-managed by indigenous peoples.
The Permanent Forum recognizes the crucial role of academia in researching, documenting and teaching indigenous languages. It encourages UNESCO to duly consider and accept UNESCO Chair applications by universities and research institutions with a view to establishing UNESCO Chairs on indigenous languages and other educational initiatives that support the goals of the International Decade.
The Permanent Forum welcomes the report of the international expert group meeting on indigenous languages, held in New York from 8 to 10 January 2008, and recommends that States and United Nations agencies engage with indigenous peoples to develop strategies to implement the recommendations of the report.
The Permanent Forum recommends that Member States support, financially and in every other way, Indigenous Peoples’ development of their own strategies in revitalizing, strengthening and developing their languages parallel to other efforts under the Global Action Plan.
The Permanent Forum also calls upon Member States to adopt effective measures to create a sustainable language environment by using information technologies and educational systems and by documenting and monitoring indigenous/native languages and using these languages in public spheres.
The Permanent Forum urges Member States to reform the agreements of intergovernmental conservation organizations, such as the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization, to comply with the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
The Permanent Forum encourages the General Assembly and UNESCO, in collaboration with the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, to organize highlevel launch events for the International Decade, in cooperation with, and with the full and effective participation of, indigenous peoples.
In the light of the proclamation of the International Year, the Permanent Forum invites Member States, in close cooperation with indigenous peoples, UNESCO and other relevant agencies of the United Nations system, to participate actively in the planning of the Year, including by organizing national and international expert meetings to raise awareness of and plan specific activities for the Year, and securing additional and adequate funding for the successful preparation and implementation of the Year, including by providing support for the establishment of an indigenous-led fund dedicated to the preservation and revitalization of indigenous languages.