The State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples has been a collaborative effort in which a number of experts and
organizations have participated.
The thematic chapters were written by Joji Carino, Duane Champagne, Neva Collings, Myrna Cunningham,
Dalee Sambo Dorough, Naomi Kipuri and Mililani Trask. The introduction was written by the Secretariat of the
Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
The Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues oversaw the preparation of the publication. Elsa
Stamatopoulou, Chief of the Secretariat provided overall leadership throughout the entire process of preparing this
publication. Broddi Sigurdarson was managing editor for the production of the publication from its inception.
Important contributions were made by Sonia Smallacombe, Carol Pollack, Juan Fernando Nuñez, Maria Luz
Aragon, Ekaterina Gorbunova and Anna Satarova. Contributions were also made by Oksana Burnabaeva, Olga
Khovenmei, Bonney Hartley, Tobias Langenbach and Elizabeth Martinez.
Special gratitude goes to the Russian Association of the Indigenous Peoples of the North (RAIPON) and the Yamal
Nenets Autonomous Okrug for organizing an expert Group Meeting in Salekhard, Russian Federation which brought
together the authors and other experts for a three day meeting in preparation for this publication. The efforts of
Pavel Sulyandziga were particularly valuable in organizing this meeting. Other individuals also contributed to this
meeting. They include: Rodion Sulyandziga, Yana Dordina, William Langeveldt and Oksana Ilyina.
Special acknowledgements go to the editor, Diana Vinding and also to Ziad Al-Kadri and Marko Srdanovic of the
UN Graphic Design Unit, Department of Public Information.
Jomo Kwame Sundaram, Assistant-Secretary-General for Economic Development, and Anisuzzaman Chowdhury
of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs provided invaluable comments.
STATE OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
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Foreword to the State of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
By Mr. Sha Zukang, Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs
Indigenous peoples are custodians of some of the most biologically diverse territories in the world. They are also
responsible for a great deal of the world’s linguistic and cultural diversity, and their traditional knowledge has
been and continues to be an invaluable resource that benefits all of mankind.
Yet, indigenous peoples continue to suffer discrimination, marginalization, extreme poverty and conflict. Some
are being dispossessed of their traditional lands as their livelihoods are being undermined. Meanwhile, their
belief systems, cultures, languages and ways of life continue to be threatened, sometimes even by extinction.
Increasingly, governments are recognizing these threats, and matching such recognition with action. From land
claims settlements and constitutional amendments to important symbolic actions such as apologies for past
treatment of indigenous peoples, governments around the world are making important steps towards addressing
indigenous peoples’ concerns.
In responding to the challenges they continue to face, indigenous peoples have engaged the international
community, calling for a Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and a permanent forum at the United
Nations that meets regularly to discuss indigenous peoples’ issues and make recommendations to the UN system
and beyond.
The United Nations has committed its unwavering support to a future where all indigenous peoples will enjoy
peace, human rights and well-being, and has responded to indigenous peoples’ demands, welcoming them as
partners. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was adopted in September 2007,
and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues meets annually at UN Headquarters, bringing together indigenous
peoples, Member States, NGOs, UN agencies and other intergovernmental organizations.
Explanation:
