A/HRC/33/56 need to look at the broader picture of discrimination and the lack of understanding of the social and cultural situations that indigenous peoples faced when accessing health-care services. 22. In his opening remarks, the Director of the Human Rights Council and Treaty Mechanisms Division of OHCHR thanked the members of the Expert Mechanism for their commitment. He welcomed the 29 Fellows taking part in the Indigenous Fellowship Programme of OHCHR and acknowledged the essential nature of indigenous peoples’ participation in ensuing that the work of the Expert Mechanism made relevant and targeted contributions to the advancement of their rights. The Director highlighted the multidimensional nature of indigenous peoples’ right to health, particularly for indigenous women, children and persons with disabilities and noted that it is essential when addressing this right to seek participatory solutions with the indigenous peoples concerned. D. Election of officers 23. Mr. Tsykarev invited the members of the Expert Mechanism to nominate a ChairRapporteur and Vice-Chair-Rapporteur for its ninth session. Chief Littlechild nominated Mr. Barume as Chair-Rapporteur and Ms. Yamada as Vice-Chair-Rapporteur. Both were appointed by acclamation. 24. In his opening statement, Mr. Barume thanked the members of the Expert Mechanism for his election and welcomed the newest member, Ms. Yamada. He also acknowledged the work of continuing members: Chief Littlechild, Mr. Mansayagan and Mr. Tsykarev. 25. The Chair-Rapporteur gave an update on the studies and intersessional activities carried out by the Expert Mechanism in the past year. They included the study on the right to health and indigenous peoples, with a focus on children and youth. The study was informed by an expert seminar co-organized by McGill University and OHCHR. The Chair-Rapporteur also discussed the Expert Mechanism’s work on the questionnaire sent to States and indigenous peoples on best practices regarding possible appropriate measures and implementation strategies to attain the goals of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 26. The Chair-Rapporteur then provided an overview of the agenda for the upcoming ninth session. He closed by thanking the indigenous peoples, organizations and individuals who contributed to the work of the Expert Mechanism and emphasized that the ninth session was an opportunity to pursue the collective vision and purpose that united all participants of the Expert Mechanism: the full realization of the human rights of indigenous peoples. E. Adoption of the agenda 27. The Expert Mechanism adopted the agenda and the programme of work of the ninth session. 8