"Indigenous groups give cautious welcome to deal struck at UN", 23 Sep 2014

The first UN World Conference on Indigenous Peoples [was held this week] to focus attention on the patchy implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, adopted in 2007...The outcome document said governments pledged to consult, cooperate and obtain the consent of indigenous groups before any projects that could affect their lands or resources are agreed. They also committed to empower indigenous groups, improve access to appropriate education, health and socio-economic programmes...[Patricia Gualinga, from the Sarayaku community in the Ecuador Amazon] said a major sticking point for governments implementing the UN declaration was the clause to obtain prior consent from indigenous groups before projects are given the green light...