A/HRC/42/55 Indigenous Peoples in the universal periodic review process. It also reiterates its proposal that, in future universal periodic review cycles, the Declaration be explicitly included in the list of standards on which the universal periodic review process is based. Proposal 12: Acknowledgement of the thirtieth anniversary of the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention 30. The Expert Mechanism proposes that the Human Rights Council acknowledge the thirtieth anniversary of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention, 1989 (No. 169) and continue to call upon States that have not yet ratified or acceded to the Convention to consider doing so. IV. Organization of the session A. Attendance 31. The Expert Mechanism held its twelfth session in Geneva from 15 to 19 July 2019. All seven members, Kristen Carpenter (United States of America, Chair-Rapporteur), Megan Davis (Australia), Belkacem Lounes (Algeria), Edtami Mansayagan (Philippines), Rodion Sulyandziga (Russian Federation), Laila Susanne Vars (Norway) and Erika M. Yamada (Brazil), attended the session. 32. Representatives of States, parliaments, indigenous peoples, United Nations programmes, bodies and specialized agencies, national and regional human rights institutions, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and academic institutions took part in the session as observers. 33. Also taking part in the session were member of the Board of Trustees of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples, Myrna Cunningham, the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples and the Chair of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. 34. A total of 24 side events were held during the session on a broad array of themes relating to the rights of indigenous peoples. A full listing is available on the webpage of the Mechanism.2 B. Opening of the session and adoption of the agenda 35. Sergio Joel Rojas, from the Qom Community in Chaco, Argentina, performed a traditional song and Mohawk Chief Howard Thompson from North America conducted a ceremonial opening prayer, after which Erika Yamada, the outgoing Chair of the Expert Mechanism, opened the twelfth session and welcomed the Chief of the Rule of Law, Equality and Non-Discrimination Branch, OHCHR, and the President of the Human Rights Council. The agenda of the session was adopted (A/HRC/EMRIP/2019/1). 36. The President of the Human Rights Council warmly welcomed the Expert Mechanism proposal concerning future efforts to facilitate the participation of indigenous peoples in the work of the Council. In that regard, he recalled that during the twelfth session of the Expert Mechanism the Council would hold an intersessional interactive dialogue on ways to strengthen the participation of indigenous peoples and institutions in meetings of the Council on issues affecting them. He also welcomed the decision by the General Assembly to declare 2019 the International Year of Indigenous Languages. Finally, he highlighted the amended mandate of the Expert Mechanism as a means to promote respect for the Declaration and cooperation of the Council with the Expert Mechanism more effectively. 2 See www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/IPeoples/EMRIP/Pages/Session12.aspx. 7