Call to establish indigenous people's rights to lands

More than 2,500 indigenous representatives across the world are attending the session.

"With the increasing desire of the states for more economic growth, senseless exploitation of indigenous peoples' territories and resources continues unabated," said Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, chairperson of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

She further stated that the majority of the world's remaining natural resources --- minerals, freshwater, potential energy sources and more --- are found within indigenous peoples' territories. Access to and ownership and development of these resources remains a contentious issue.

Victoria urged President of UN General Assembly Sheikha Haya Rashed Al Khalifa to do everything possible to adopt the UN Declaration on the Rights of the Indigenous Peoples. She also urged the governments to implement the programme of action during the Second Decade of the World's Indigenous Peoples, namely strengthening international cooperation for the solution of problems faced by indigenous people in the areas of culture, education, health, human rights, the environment and social and economic development.

The world representatives of indigenous people stated that more than 370 million indigenous people in some 70 countries worldwide are from diverse geographical and cultural backgrounds, but they share commonalities such as: lack of basic healthcare; limited access to education; loss of control over land; abject poverty; displacement; human rights violations; and economic and social marginalisation.

UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Jose Antonio Ocampo and President of Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Ambassador Dalius Cekuolis were also present at the opening session. More than 25 indigenous representatives are attending the session from Bangladesh, India and Nepal.