The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues issued a statement concerning
the relief efforts to tsunami victims in Asia. Among the various recommendations,
the statement specifically calls for full involvement of indigenous peoples in "the
formulation of rehabilitation and reconstruction programs so that they may advise
on how best to utilize their traditional knowledge, resource management systems,
and vision of development towards sustainable recovery programs." It states
that the Forum will be actively engaged in this process within its authority
and according to its mandate.
