International Decade of the World's Indigenous People : resolution / adopted by the General Assembly

International Decade of the World's Indigenous People

Requests the High Commissioner, as coordinator of the Decade: (a) to continue to promote the objectives of the Decade, taking into account, in the fulfilment of her functions, the special concerns of indigenous people; (b) to give due regard to the dissemination of information on the situation, cultures, languages, rights and aspirations of indigenous people; (c) to submit, through the Secretary-General, an annual report to the General Assembly on the implementation of the programme of activities of the Decade; decides that the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations should also be used to assist representatives of indigenous communities and organizations in participating in the deliberations of the open-ended inter-sessional ad hoc working group; encourages Governments to support the Decade by: (a) preparing relevant programmes, plans and reports in relation to the Decade, in consultation with indigenous people; (b) seeking means of giving indigenous people greater responsibility for their own affairs; (c) establishing national committees; (d) contributing to the UN Trust Fund; (e) contributing to the UN Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations; (f) considering contributing, as appropriate, to the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples in Latin America and the Caribbean; (g) identifying resources for activities designed to implement the goals of the Decade; invites UN financial and development institutions, operational programmes and the specialized agencies: (a) to give increased priority and resources to improving the conditions of indigenous people; (b) to launch special projects to strengthen their community-level initiatives; (c) to designate focal points for the coordination of activities; recommends that the Secretary-General ensure coordinated follow-up to the recommendations concerning indigenous people of relevant UN conferences.

Adopted without vote, 83rd meeting

5 p.

Adopted at the 83rd plenary meeting, 17 Dec. 1999.