A/HRC/15/60 5. Also welcomes the successful completion by the Expert Mechanism of its progress report on the study on indigenous peoples and the right to participate in decisionmaking,18 encourages it to finalize the study in accordance with Council resolution 12/13, taking into account the discussions held at its third session, and requests it to give examples of good practices at different levels of decision-making; 6. Further welcomes the practice adopted during the third session of the Expert Mechanism to devote specific time to discussion of past mandated thematic studies of the Mechanism, and encourages States to participate in and contribute to these discussions; 7. Decides, bearing in mind paragraph 7 of Council resolution 12/13, to hold, on an annual basis, and without prejudice to the outcome of the Council’s review of its work and functioning, an interactive dialogue with the Expert Mechanism following the presentation of its report, within existing resources; 8. Also decides to hold, within existing resources, at its eighteenth session, a half-day panel on the role of languages and culture in the promotion and protection of the well-being and identity of indigenous peoples; 9. Further decides, bearing in mind the need to ensure continuity in the functioning of the Expert Mechanism and pursuant to paragraph 8 of resolution 12/13, that, while the regular mandate of the members of the Expert Mechanism shall continue to be three years in accordance with paragraph 6 of Council resolution 6/36, two out of five members to be elected in 2011 shall serve for two years, and that the staggering of the terms of membership shall be defined by the drawing of lots by the President of the Council after the election of the five members; 10. Welcomes the report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on the practical implications of a change in the mandate of the Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Populations,19 and recommends that the General Assembly approve the expansion of the mandate of the Voluntary Fund so that it can also be used to assist representatives of indigenous communities and indigenous organizations to attend sessions of the Council and of human rights treaty bodies, based on diverse and renewed participation and in accordance with relevant rules and regulations, including Economic and Social Council resolution 1996/31 of 25 July 1996; 11. Recognizes the importance of the contributions of all relevant stakeholders, including the Expert Mechanism, to the process of the Council’s review of its work and functioning; 12. Welcomes the role of national human rights institutions established in accordance with the Paris Principles in advancing indigenous issues, and encourages national human rights institutions to develop and strengthen their capacities to fulfil that role effectively, including with the support of the Office of the High Commissioner; 13. Also welcomes the ongoing cooperation and coordination between the Special Rapporteur, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Expert Mechanism, and requests them to continue to carry out their tasks in a coordinated manner; 14. Encourages those States that have not yet ratified or acceded to the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) of the International Labour Organization to consider doing so and to consider supporting the United Nations 18 19 GE.11-17043 A/HRC/15/35. A/HRC/15/38. 19