Addressee: World Bank, Inter-American Development Bank, Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, International Monetary Fund.

Paragraph #33Session #2 (2003)

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The Forum, taking into account the meetings between the World Bank and indigenous peoples held during its second session on the guidelines and operative policies and procedural norms of the Bank, recommends that the Bank:

(a) Continue to address issues currently outstanding, including Bank implementation of international
customary laws and standards, in particular human rights instruments, full recognition of customary land and resource rights of indigenous peoples, recognition of the right of free, prior informed consent of indigenous peoples regarding development projects that affect them, and prohibition of the involuntary resettlement of indigenous peoples;

(b) Compile examples of best practices in development projects with indigenous peoples and include those best practices in future policies;

(c) Discuss the issues of forced relocation and land rights;

(d) Facilitate and support the exchange of knowledge and information between indigenous organizations;

(e) Facilitate and support the exchange of information on the implementation of policies on indigenous peoples by international financial institutions, such as the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the African Development Bank and the International Monetary Fund.

Final Report of UNPFII Session 2 (2003)