30 May 1985

25th plenary meeting

United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations

The Economic and Social Council,

Recalling its resolution 1982/34 of 7 May 1982, authorizing the establishment annually of a working group on indigenous populations,

Recommends the following draft resolution to the General Assembly for adoption:

"The General Assembly,

"Taking note of Economic and Social Council resolution 1982/34 of 7 May 1982, by which the Council authorized the Sub-Commission on Prevention of Discrimination and Protection of Minorities to establish annually a working group on indigenous populations,

"Taking note of Commission on Human Rights resolution 1984/32 of 12 March 1984,

"Convinced that the establishment of a voluntary trust fund for indigenous populations would constitute a significant development for the future promotion and protection of the human rights of indigenous populations,

"Decides to establish a voluntary trust fund in accordance with the following criteria:

"(a) The name of the fund shall be the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations;

"(b) The purpose of the Fund shall be to assist representatives of indigenous communities and organizations to participate in the deliberations of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations by providing them with financial assistance, funded by means of voluntary contributions from Governments, non-governmental organizations and other private or public entities;

"(c) The only type of activity to be supported by the Fund is that described in subparagraph (b) above;

"(d) The only beneficiaries of assistance from the Fund shall be representatives of indigenous peoples' organizations and communities:

(i) Who are so considered by the Board of Trustees described in subparagraph (e) below;

(ii) Who would not, in the opinion of the Board, be able to attend the sessions of the Working Group without the assistance provided by the Fund;

(iii) Who would be able to contribute to a deeper knowledge on the part of the Working Group of the problems affecting indigenous populations and who would secure a broad geographical representation;

"(e) The Fund shall be administered in accordance with the Financial Regulations and Rules of the United Nations and other relevant provisions set forth in the annex to the note by the Secretary-General, with the advice of a Board of Trustees composed of five persons with relevant experience on issues affecting indigenous populations, who will serve in their personal capacity; the members of the Board of Trustees shall be appointed by the Secretary-General for a three-year term renewable in consultation with the current Chairman of the Sub-Commission; at least one member of the Board shall be a representative of a widely-recognized organization of indigenous people."