A/HRC/39/37 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 36/14 concerning human rights and indigenous peoples, the Human Rights Council requested the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights to continue to submit to it an annual report on the rights of indigenous peoples, containing information on relevant developments in human rights bodies and mechanisms and on the activities undertaken by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) at headquarters and in the field, that contribute to the promotion of, respect for and the full application of the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. 2. The present report focuses on some illustrative examples of OHCHR activities and initiatives undertaken at the country, regional and headquarters levels that contribute to realization of the rights of indigenous peoples. It also outlines recent developments within United Nations human rights bodies and mechanisms pertaining to indigenous peoples. II. General overview of OHCHR activities and recent developments in human rights bodies and mechanisms 3. During the period under review, important measures were taken to advance the rights of indigenous peoples. However, progress remains fragile. Reports by United Nations human rights mechanisms demonstrate that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the outcome document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples are far from being fully implemented, and that the shrinking democratic space in many countries continues to be a challenge for indigenous human rights defenders, organizations and movements, including those that cooperate with the United Nations. Many countries where indigenous peoples live fail to meet indigenous peoples’ human rights obligations and to ensure their meaningful engagement and effective participation, including when elaborating development priorities and strategies that relate to extractive industries and to the use of land, territories and resources. 4. To address these concerns, OHCHR continued to provide technical assistance and guidance to Member States, indigenous peoples, civil society organizations and United Nations bodies, and strengthened its efforts to involve indigenous peoples in all international initiatives that affect them, including the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 5. During the reporting period, indigenous peoples’ rights were included in the recommendations of several human rights treaty bodies, and in the reports and communications and other activities of several special procedure mandate holders. These United Nations mechanisms provided detailed, country-specific recommendations for the implementation of indigenous peoples’ rights, including in relation to resources and support to develop their capacities, in order for indigenous peoples to be able to claim their rights and interact on an equal footing with the authorities, the private sector and human rights mechanisms. These mechanisms also highlighted the need to ensure that all those whose decisions impact indigenous peoples’ rights — from State authorities to business enterprises and international financial institutions — are familiar with the standards set forth in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. A. Requirements for free, prior and informed consent and for consultative mechanisms, including in the context of business and extractive industries 6. A key area of concern for OHCHR and United Nations human rights mechanisms continues to be the development activities undertaken in indigenous lands and territories with insufficient regard for the principle of free, prior and informed consent and for other safeguards enshrined in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous 2