NEW YORK - More than 3,300 indigenous peoples attended the seventh session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues which convened from April 21 to May 2, 2008. The special theme for the session was "Climate change, Bio-cultural Diversity and Livelihoods: the Stewardship Role of Indigenous Peoples and New Challenges." The Permanent Forum hailed the adoption of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and pledged to make it a "living document" as indigenous peoples push for implementation.
The Permanent Forum is an advisory body to the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights. It provides expert advice and recommendations on indigenous issues to ECOSOC and agencies of the United Nations. It also works to raise awareness related to indigenous issues within the UN system, and to prepare and disseminate information on indigenous issues.
For more information about the seventh session, go to:
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Report on the 7th Session (21 April - 2 May, 2008)