The Forum expresses its support for the work of the Board of Trustees and the Advisory Group of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations and the United Nations Trust Fund for the International Decade of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, urges Governments, non-governmental organizations and other private or public entities and individuals to contribute to the funds and supports the continuation of the activities of the Board of Trustees and Advisory Group of both Funds, which are considered a vital support to indigenous communities worldwide.
The Permanent Forum notes the increasing operational activity of extractive industries and other large-scale development projects, including land grabbing, which is taking place on or near the territories of indigenous peoples in many African States, often without the involvement of indigenous peoples and without their free, prior and informed consent. The Forum recommends that African States must respect the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in particular the right of indigenous peoples to free, prior and informed consent.