ECOSOC adopted draft decisions contained in the Report of the Forum (18th session, 2019)

The report of the 18th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (2019) is now available in the six official United Nations languages.

The report was presented by the Chair of the Forum to the Economic and Social Council Management Meeting on 23 July 2019, UN Headquarters, New York.

Download the report of the 18th session here:
E/2019/43-E/C.19/2019/10  | AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH |

See also:

• Website of the 18th session of the PFII
• UN Meetings Coverage of the 18th session of the PFII

Extract of the ECOSOC’s meeting coverage on 23 July 2019
36th meeting, ECOSOC/7010

“Indigenous issues
ANNE NUORGAM (Finland), Chair of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues at its eighteenth session, presented its report (document E/2019/43), highlighting recommendations made during its session, held from 22 April to 3 May on the theme “Traditional Knowledge”.  Among its recommendations, she said the Forum declared that efforts must focus on protecting Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge and reiterated a concern that many languages are in danger of disappearing.  The Forum was also concerned that Indigenous Peoples are not participating in all stages of the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals.  It was equally concerned about the lack of implementation of the Universal Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.  In addition, the Forum called upon Member States to take a zero-tolerance approach to violence targeting Indigenous human rights defenders and to prosecute those responsible to the full extent of the law.

The representative of Mexico, speaking on behalf of a number of countries who are members of the Group of Friends of Indigenous Peoples, recognized the Forum for making valuable contributions to the international community.  Moving forward, he considered that the nineteenth session would continue to work towards improving the dialogue between the Forum, experts and Member States.

The Council then adopted draft decisions on:  “Peace, justice and strong institutions:  the role of Indigenous Peoples in implementing Sustainable Development Goal 16”; “Venue and dates for the nineteenth session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues”; and “Report of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on its eighteenth session and provision agenda for its nineteenth session”.”

To read the full statement of the Chair, please click here >>>