SPECIAL SUMMIT OF THE AMERICAS

&

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE

When, where and who:

The Special Summit of the Americas was held in Monterrey, Mexico on January 12-13, 2004 bringing together the democratically elected Heads of State and Government of the members countries of the Organization of American States.

Purpose :

The goal of the Special Summit was to facilitate hemispheric cooperation at the highest level of government in order to address current economic, social and political challenges in the region. Approximately one third of Heads of State and Government in the Hemisphere have assumed office since the Third Summit of the Americas held in Quebec City in April 2001. The agenda of the Special Summit focused on three issues:

Ø Economic Growth with Equity to Reduce Poverty

Ø Social Development

Ø Democratic Governance

The Declaration of Nuevo Leon:

" ... on the American Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples… We reiterate our political will and support for the successful conclusion of the negotiations and prompt approval of the Declaration, whose objective is to promote and protect their human rights and fundamental freedoms…” Nuevo Leon Declaration Special Summit of the Americas

The Declaration contains 75 paragraphs reflecting the policies and decisions adopted by the leaders on the three Summit topics. For example, in economic growth, they made a commitment to implement sound macroeconomic policies, to create an enabling environment for the private sector, and to reduce the costs of remittances. In the area of social development, the Heads of State recognized that the main challenge is the elimination of poverty, hunger, and inequality. They reiterated that a decisive factor for human development is education and also committed to taking the appropriate measures to reduce the threat of HIV/AIDS. In the area of democratic governance, the leaders of the Americas expressed their support for the Declaration of Santiago on Democracy and Citizens Confidence, as well as their respect for the rule of law, strengthening political parties, and defending human rights. They also committed to fight corruption and acknowledged the role of civil society in the design, execution, and evaluation of public policies.

Indigenous People:

In the Declaration of Nuevo Leon, the leaders of the Hemisphere reaffirmed that respect and appreciation for cultural diversity enriches societies and enhances cultural development and social cohesion. They agreed to strengthen social protection for health by continuing to broaden care, promotion and investment strategies in this field with particular emphasis on the most vulnerable sectors of society. Moreover they agreed to sustained effort to improve the living conditions of rural populations. The Heads of State and Government recognized the substantive progress achieved in the negotiations of the American Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and reiterated their commitment to promptly conclude these negotiations and finalize the Declaration, which in its present draft format includes these issues of social development. Mandates related to the human rights and, in particular, the rights of the indigenous peoples have been part of the Declarations and Plans of Action of the Summits of the Americas since 1994.