The Forum, taking into account that States recognized the vital role of indigenous peoples in sustainable development at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, held in Johannesburg, South Africa, calls upon the United Nations system, other intergovernmental organizations and Governments to establish processes of meaningful participation and partnership with indigenous communities in those processes, including within the context of the United Nations Development Assistance Framework and the poverty reduction strategy papers of the World Bank. The Forum recommends, through the Economic and Social Council, that all States, organs and agencies of the United Nations take into account the Kimberley Declaration adopted by the Summit of Indigenous Peoples on Sustainable Development, held in the territory of the Khoi-San People from 20 to 23 August 2002, as well as the Plan of Implementation of Indigenous Peoples on Sustainable Development, when States begin to implement the Plan of Implementation of the World Summit on Sustainable Development. The Permanent Forum, through the Economic and Social Council, invites United Nations agencies, bodies, funds and programmes to identify areas of work within their mandates for collaborative implementation with indigenous peoples’ Kimberly proposals, taking into account the report of the Commission on Sustainable Development on its eleventh session and the multi-year programme of work of the Commission, for the further implementation of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation as well as the fulfillment of the Millennium Development Goals.
The Forum recommends the establishment of an international ethical code on bio-prospecting in order to avoid bio-piracy and ensure the respect for indigenous cultural and intellectual heritage. Under the framework of the Convention, a mechanism should be established for the repatriation and devolution of genetic materials collections to indigenous peoples. The Forum recommends to the Convention secretariat that the global taxonomy initiative incorporate an ethical principles and social framework for the protection of indigenous peoples’ rights to their lands, traditional knowledge and resources before its implementation.
Considering the statements made by Brazil at the fifteenth session, the Permanent Forum welcomes the willingness of the Government to engage in dialogue concerning the status, conditions and rights of the indigenous peoples of Brazil, many of whom have faced the suspension of the land demarcation process. The Forum respectfully requests Brazil to uphold its national and international obligations to recognize and respect the human rights of indigenous peoples, as affirmed in the United Nations Declaration and ILO Convention No. 169. Furthermore, the Forum urges the interim Government of Brazil to safeguard the status of the National Indian Foundation and its mandate with regard to the indigenous peoples of Brazil.
Sexual and gender-based violence increases in settings of conflict. Sexual violence has also been used systematically as a weapon of war against indigenous women. In the light of the particular risks and vulnerabilities of indigenous women and girls relating to sexual and gender-based violence, the Permanent Forum recommends that Governments, local authorities, specialized agencies of the United Nations system and civil society collaborate with indigenous peoples to establish multisectoral and holistic approaches to combat the various forms of violence against women and girls.