Education, representation, indigenous women’s rights and climate change are among the several indigenous peoples-related issues being raised at the meeting.

On the third day of the meeting, recommendations were presented for the Second International Decade for the World Indigenous People (2005-2015) and Human Rights. Implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by governments was emphasized as a necessity to recognize indigenous peoples and secure their rights.

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary General of the United Nations, warned that climate change is “the greatest challenge for the humankind in the 21st century,” and since indigenous peoples are in the frontlines of climate change as the most vulnerable communities, the issue has not escaped discussions in the 8th session of the UNPFII. Due to the reality that indigenous peoples are closely tied to the mother Earth culturally, spiritually and economically, they have been practicing sustainable livelihood practices. Indigenous knowledge of their surroundings is detailed, thus the sharing of this knowledge is considered crucial not only for indigenous peoples but also for the entire global community in mitigating negative impacts of climate change.

Indigenous women’s role in the preservation of indigenous culture and the transfer of indigenous knowledge from one generation to the next was also highlighted by the participants at the meeting.

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