The Permanent Forum recommends that the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and relevant parties develop mechanisms for indigenous peoples’ participation, as appropriate, in all aspects of the international dialogue on climate change, particularly the forthcoming negotiations for the next Kyoto Protocol commitment period, including by establishing a working group on local adaptation measures and traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples. The Forum encourages dialogue and cooperation among indigenous peoples, particularly indigenous women and youth, States, conservation and development organizations and donors in order to strengthen the participation of indigenous peoples in dialogue on climate change.
The Permanent Forum recommends that UNESCO, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Convention on Biological Diversity and the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) work closely with indigenous peoples to develop an instrument to protect traditional knowledge and culture-based economic opportunities and activities as a potential way of strengthening the identities of indigenous peoples in order to contribute to gross domestic product growth, environmental protection and mutual appreciation of cultures.
Numerous indigenous representatives have raised region-specific concerns about the adverse impacts of climate change on their communities. The Permanent Forum will therefore explore the potential for conducting, by appropriate United Nations entities, assessments, studies and reviews of the economic, social and cultural impacts of climate change on indigenous nations, peoples and communities. For example, the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification could conduct a study on climate change and desertification in the African region.
The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues has examined the collective and individual proposals submitted by indigenous organizations, representatives of the United Nations system and Member States in order to follow up the recommendations contained in its report on its second session, in particular those contained in chapter I, section B, paragraphs 93, 103 and 105 of the report.
The Forum recommends that Member States ratify the Convention on Intangible Cultural Heritage and ensure that it is fully implemented.
The Permanent Forum urges the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity to undertake, in collaboration with indigenous peoples, a study on the contributions of indigenous peoples to the management of ecosystems and the protection of biodiversity, and submit a report to the Forum by its nineteenth session.
The Permanent Forum recommends that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change prepare a special report within its seventh assessment cycle, led by Indigenous academics, scientists and traditional knowledge holders, to assess the opportunities for and threats against Indigenous Peoples in the areas of adaptation, mitigation, and loss and damage.
The Permanent Forum recommends that States develop mechanisms through which they can monitor and report on the impacts of climate change on indigenous peoples, mindful of their socio-economic limitations as well as spiritual and cultural attachment to lands and waters.