In the run up to the Governing Council meeting of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), an Indigenous Peoples' Forum was held as a vehicle for dialogue and collaboration on IFAD-financed activities.
12 February 2013: In the run up to the Governing Council meeting of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), an Indigenous Peoples’ Forum was held as a vehicle for dialogue and collaboration on IFAD-financed activities.
The First Global Meeting of the Indigenous Peoples’ Forum convened from 11-12 February 2013, and participants discussed the priority areas of increasing the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and opportunities for building the capacity of Indigenous Peoples’ organizations. Participants developed a declaration that will be presented to the Governing Council, to highlight steps that IFAD can take to ensure the effective participation of Indigenous Peoples. It will also recognize traditional knowledge and sustainable land-use practices of Indigenous Peoples.
The meeting included 32 participants from 27 countries. The Forum was an outgrowth of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and IFAD’s adoption of a policy on engagement with Indigenous Peoples. [IISD RS Sources] [IFAD Press Release] [IFAD Social Reporting Blog]