UN Tracks Progress on Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People
At its sixty-fourth session, the United Nation's General Assembly discussed the findings of the Secretary General’s midterm report tracking the progress made in the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People so far. UN organizations, NGOs, and states contributed to the findings in the report.
The goals and objectives of the Second Decade include promoting nondiscrimination, inclusion and full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples, redefining culturally appropriate development policies, adopting targeted policies and programs for the development of Indigenous Peoples, and promoting strong monitoring mechanisms and enhancing accountability at all levels. The midterm report noted the adoption in 2007 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as one of the major gains to date, but it also notes that there is still a substantial gap between the policy and the actual implementation of specific objectives of the Second Decade. The report stresses more action is needed. The report calls on states to fully implement the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, recognize Indigenous Peoples in their countries, and establish national legislative frameworks and policies for Indigenous Peoples’ individual and collective rights, as well as increase funding for programs addressing Indigenous Peoples' issues within the context of achieving the Millennium Development Goals, and beyond.
