UNITED NATIONS, New York.- The President of the UN General Assembly, Maria Fernanda Espinosa, reiterated the importance of making true the right of indigenous peoples to participate in the matters concerning them.

During an interactive hearing developed as part of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Espinosa called for join more voices from these native peoples to debates in the multilateral body to broaden visions and ways of seeing the world.

The President of the UN General Assembly also underlined the importance of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the need for them to participate in decision-making processes.

The native peoples represent a vast and rich diversity that must be widely reflected, Espinosa pointed out, and warned that 15% of the world’s poorest people are indigenous, and that requires stronger international action.