Involving indigenous peoples in planning national policies

This strategy features in the framework of Agenda 21 as formulated at UNCED (Rio de Janeiro, 1992), now coordinated by the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development and implemented through national and local authorities.

Agenda 21 recommends appointing a special focal point within each international organization, organizing annual interorganizational coordination meetings in consultation with governments and indigenous organizations, as appropriate, and developing a procedure within and between operational agencies for assisting governments in ensuring the coherent and coordinated incorporation of the views of indigenous people in the design and implementation of policies and programmes. Under this procedure, indigenous people and their communities should be informed and consulted and allowed to participate in national decision-making, in particular regarding regional and international cooperative efforts. In addition, these policies and programmes should take strategies based on local indigenous initiatives fully into account.