Section C: Preparatory. Global Coordinating Group

The United Nations High Level Plenary Meeting that would be called the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples had a framework for member states to work within, but indigenous peoples did not have a global mechanism. An ad hoc body recognized by the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was formed shortly after the UN announced that it would convene the world conference. It would be called the International Indigenous Global Coordinating Group and individuals familiar with the UN system were invited to sit on this body. It was impossible to have more than 5,000 indigenous nations select representatives to this body that would coordinate indigenous peoples’ participation in the UN process. Individuals became members of this body by designation from non-governmental organizations and small groups of activists. Some of the documents of the Global Coordinating Group are published here.