The main agenda items of this session were the draft study on lessons learned and challenges to achieve the implementation on the right of indigenous peoples to education, the implementation of the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), and the identification of proposals to the Human Rights Council. It could be concluded that the Declaration has lead to positive development in some countries but that large challenges in implementation remain in others.

The session gathered a large number of indigenous representatives and non-governmental organisations from all continents, as well as State representatives. The mining industry and the negative consequences it may have for indigenous peoples, the right to land and to natural resources, and the right to self-determination are some of the issues that were raised during the session.

The Premier of Greenland, Mr Kuupik Kleist, held a statement on Greenland’s new Self-government status, and said that he hoped that this new development in Greenland and in the relationship between Denmark and Greenland should be seen as a de facto implementation of the UNDRIP and, in this regard, an inspiration to others.