THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

80

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

strongly supporting the convening of the 2003 annual meeting of the United Nations Economic and Social Council's Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to be held in Hawaii.

 

 

WHEREAS, the proposal to create a permanent forum focused on indigenous issues was officially introduced at the Vienna World Conference on Human Rights in 1993; and

WHEREAS, at its fifty-sixth session, the United Nations Commission on Human Rights decided to recommend to the Economic and Social Council that it set up a permanent forum on indigenous issues. On July 28, 2000, the Economic and Social Council adopted resolution E/RES/2000/22 establishing the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; and

WHEREAS, the purpose of the Permanent Forum is to serve as an advisory body to the Economic and Social Council, with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues relating to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights. The Permanent Forum's role is to:

(1) Provide expert advice and recommendations on indigenous issues to the Council, as well as to programs, funds, and agencies of the United Nations, through the Council;

(2) Raise awareness and promote the integration and coordination of activities relating to indigenous issues within the United Nations system; and

(3) Prepare and disseminate information on indigenous issues;

and

WHEREAS, the Permanent Forum is composed of sixteen independent experts representing the following countries: Canada, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, Nepal, Norway, Peru, Russian Federation, the United States, and Togo. Eight members are nominated by governments and eight are appointed by the President of the Council, following formal consultations with governments on the basis of consultations with indigenous organizations. All members serve for a period of three years, with the possibility of re-election for one additional year; and

WHEREAS, Ms. Mililani Trask serves as one of the sixteen members of the Permanent Forum; and

WHEREAS, the Permanent Forum meets once a year for ten working days and submits an annual report to the Council on its activities, including any recommendations for approval. The report is also distributed to relevant United Nations organs, funds, programs, and agencies as a way of furthering the dialogue on indigenous issues within the United Nations system; and

WHEREAS, in accordance with existing financial rules and regulations of the United Nations, the Permanent Forum may elect to meet at a location other than the United Nations Headquarters in New York or the United Nations Office in Geneva; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii has broad experience in hosting various international and regional conferences such as the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Business Advisory Council discussions held in August, 1996, the May 2001 meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the 34th meeting of the Asian Development Bank held in May, 2001, and serving as the headquarters of the Pacific Basin Economic Council since 1992, etc.; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii's natural beauty, environment, accommodations, professional, state-of-the-art meeting and convention facilities as embodied by the Hawaii Convention Center, and international and multi-cultural society make it an ideal location to hold international and regional business, economic, scientific, strategic, cultural, and political forums, discussions, and conferences; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii has all the advantages of advanced technology and electronic communications capabilities required for the Permanent Forum's activities; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii, as vouched for by its Governor, is one of the safest places in the world in these unsettled times and can provide the security and stability required for the Permanent Forum's discussions; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2003, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Legislature strongly supports the convening of the annual meeting, scheduled for May 12 to May 23, 2003, of the United Nations Economic and Social Council's Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, to be held in Hawaii; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Secretary-General of the United Nations, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, the members of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Governor, and the mayors of each respective county.

 

 

 

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues; Meeting in Hawaii