LA PAZ, March 18 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) – For the first time in history Bolivia hosted a preparatory meeting of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues schedule for next month.

It was held at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, in the presence of members of the diplomatic corps, indigenous and government authorities and experts from 10 countries working in the UN office here. Also present were representatives from 14 countries of the indigenous forum’s caucus or assembly.

The meeting which ends tomorrow will analyse behind close doors issues related to the development of culture and identity outlined by the UN to be presented at the forum from April 19 to 30.

The Permanent Forum was created in 2000 through a resolution of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and held its first meeting two years later.

The objective of the council is to examine indigenous issues in the context of ECOSOC, attributions on economic and social development, culture, environment, education, health and human rights. —

Venezuela, Ecuador, Guyana, Brazil, Colombia, Belize, Costa Rica, United States, Iran, Panama, Surinam and El Salvador have confirmed the attendance to the April meeting, Foreign Minister Davoid Choquehuanca stated.

Greenland, Denmark, China, Spain and Norway are some of the countries that previously hosted meetings of this kind. — NNN-PRENSA LATINA

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