A/RES/79/159 Rights of Indigenous Peoples Taking note with appreciation of the decision of the Human Rights Council, in its resolution 54/12, 25 that the theme of the annual half-day panel discussion on the rights of Indigenous Peoples to be held during the fifty-seventh session of the Human Rights Council will be on laws, policies, judicial decisions and other measures that States have taken, consistent with article 38 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, to achieve the ends of the Declaration, and looking forward to the summary report thereon to be prepared by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Noting the discussions to enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the work of the Human Rights Council, including the discussions and recommendations of the four-day expert workshop, held from 21 to 24 November 2022, convened to discuss recommendations on possible ways to ensure the enhanced participation of Indigenous Peoples in the work of the Council, and taking note of the summary report thereon prepared by the Office of the High Commissioner, 26 Taking note of the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the half-day panel discussion, held on 27 September 2023, on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, in particular, the impact of certain development projects on Indigenous women, 27 Recognizing the importance of free, prior and informed consent, as outlined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Recognizing and reaffirming that Indigenous individuals are entitled without discrimination to all human rights recognized in international law, and that Indigenous Peoples possess collective rights as set out in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which are indispensable for their existence, well-being and integral development as peoples, Recognizing the value and the diversity of the cultures and the form of social organization of Indigenous Peoples and their holistic traditional knowledge of their lands, natural resources and environment, and stressing that Indigenous Peoples, including those who are in voluntary isolation or initial contact, have the right to self determination, and can choose to live in accordance with their traditions, Noting that the General Assembly, in the outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, affirmed and recognized the importance of Indigenous Peoples’ religious and cultural sites and of providing access to and repatriation of their ceremonial objects and human remains, as contemplated in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Commending Member States, cultural, religious and educational institutions, museums, Indigenous Peoples and civil society for their efforts to combat the illicit trade in Indigenous Peoples’ cultural property, and welcoming all initiatives, whether by States, institutions or private persons, for the voluntary return of Indigenous Peoples’ cultural property that has been illicitly appropriated, Recognizing that agricultural practices and forestry that include Indigenous traditional knowledge and innovations can contribute to overcoming the combined challenges of climate change, food insecurity, biodiversity conservation and combating desertification and land degradation, __________________ See Official Records of the General Assembly, Seventy-eighth Session, Supplement No. 53A (A/78/53/Add.1), chap. III, sect. A. 26 A/HRC/53/44. 27 A/HRC/56/33. 25 6/15 24-24152