A/HRC/42/19 I. Introduction 1. In its resolution 39/13 concerning human rights and indigenous peoples, the Human Rights Council requested the 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 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 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 country, regional and global levels that contribute to the 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. Overview of the activities of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and recent developments in human rights bodies and mechanisms 3. During the period under review, despite major steps taken to advance the rights of indigenous peoples, reports by United Nations human rights mechanisms show that full implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples is far from being achieved. Global trends during this period indicate that in a context of shrinking democratic spaces, indigenous human rights defenders, organizations and movements, particularly those defending their rights to their traditional lands and natural resources face widespread attacks on them and, at times, criminalization. Furthermore, the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples in matters that concern them, including in the elaboration of development priorities, is a human rights responsibility that many States where indigenous peoples live are still failing to meet. 4. In order to address these concerns, OHCHR has continued to provide technical assistance and guidance to Member States, indigenous peoples, civil society organizations and United Nations bodies, strengthening its efforts to involve indigenous peoples in all international initiatives that affect them. 5. During the reporting period, the rights of indigenous peoples were included in the recommendations of a number of human rights treaty bodies and in the reports, communications and other activities of special procedures mandate holders. These mechanisms provided detailed, thematic and country-specific recommendations to implement the rights of indigenous peoples, in order for them to be able to claim those rights and interact on an equal footing with the authorities, the private sector and human rights mechanisms. The need to ensure that all those whose decisions impact the rights of indigenous peoples, from State authorities to business enterprises and international financial institutions, are familiar with the standards set forth in the Declaration was also highlighted. A. Indigenous peoples and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 6. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its commitment to reduce inequalities and to leave no one behind offers a critical opportunity for indigenous peoples. Founded on principles of universality, human rights, participation, equality and environmental sustainability, the 2030 Agenda, which makes explicit references to the development concerns of indigenous peoples, has the potential to be transformative for them. 2