Page 468 - 100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International_V-Petrovsky_private special edition

100 Reflections that Crafted Geneva International

The recent establishment of the Permanent Forum for Indigenous Peoples
should provide the focal point to integrate the young and the women within
the indigenous peoples, as well as to facilitate the distribution and dissemina-
tion information to the international community. It will also enable indigenous
people to raise their legitimate human rights concerns.

This year’s theme for the Working Group is the right to development of
indigenous people and, more important the right to participate in the devel-
opments affecting them. Cooperation and democracy are the tenets of
sustainable development for the future. The delicate balance between tradition
and development can be achieved through mutual consent and the benefit of
all. I am personally extremely proud of the role that the United Nations Office
at Geneva is playing encouraging the dialogue between the Working Group,
chaired by my good friend Erica lnene Daes, and the Member States of the UN.
Let me conclude with congratulating you all on the International Day of the
Indigenous Peoples and wish you a successful annual venue.

Thank you.

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