Rpresentatives of indigenous peoples' organizations agreed on the scope, objectives, operations and governance of the forum, which will assist IFAD in integrating indigenous knowledge of resource management and sustainable agriculture and increase the participation of indigenous peoples in IFAD's programmes.
18 February 2011: The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) announced the creation of an indigenous peoples’ forum under the Fund, following a two-day workshop. The workshop took place at IFAD’s headquarters in Rome, Italy, from 17-18 February 2011.
The workshop brought together almost 30 representatives of indigenous peoples’ organizations to agree on the scope, objectives, operations and governance of the new forum. The group agreed that the forum’s first meeting will take place alongside the IFAD Governing Council meeting in 2013. The forum will seek to increase the participation of indigenous peoples in IFAD’s programmes. It also will assist IFAD in better targeting poverty reduction efforts for indigenous peoples, as well as integrating indigenous knowledge of resource management and sustainable agriculture. [IFAD Press Release] [Workshop Website ]