A/HRC/44/35 law. While this led to a drawn-out process spanning over three decades, the Declaration stood as a triumph of indigenous peoples’ participation. The Expert Mechanism’s enhanced mandate was another example of indigenous peoples’ participation leading to positive outcomes. 35. Ms. Yamada closed by advocating for dignity, stating that indigenous peoples wanted to be recognized for who they were. They were not States and they were not NGOs. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples was a major step in recognizing them as peoples, and the next step should be for the United Nations to facilitate their participation as such as a matter of humanity and dignity, and to facilitate cooperation among the global community. B. Interactive dialogue 36. Representatives of several Member States and NGOs took the floor to make comments and proposals regarding indigenous peoples’ participation in the work of the Human Rights Council. 37. States that took the floor were generally supportive of indigenous peoples’ participation in the Human Rights Council and expressed their commitment to strengthening that participation. States recalled the relevant provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as of the outcome document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and of General Assembly resolution 71/321. Several States highlighted the role that indigenous peoples’ participation played in the negotiation and adoption of the Declaration. 38. In terms of specific modalities for participation, some States suggested specifically that indigenous peoples should be able to take the floor, submit written information and nominate candidates for special procedures mandates. Some States also suggested that indigenous representatives and institutions should participate in the negotiation of Human Rights Council resolutions that were particularly relevant to them. Several States stressed that indigenous peoples should be closely involved in the process of reviewing modalities for their participation in the Council. While the participation of indigenous peoples in the sessions of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was valuable, it was important to also hear indigenous peoples’ unique voices throughout the United Nations system. 39. Some States pointed out that the rules of procedure applied in the interactive dialogue had demonstrated the need for an expanded, inclusive process for indigenous peoples’ participation. Some States were also explicit in stating that indigenous peoples should not have to be accredited under NGOs maintaining consultative status with the Economic and Social Council in order to participate in Human Rights Council activities. However, one of the main challenges identified was that of accreditation and determining selection criteria for potentially accrediting indigenous peoples to participate in the Human Rights Council in their own right, bearing in mind self-identification, self-determination and the diverse ways in which indigenous peoples choose to organize themselves. Another challenge identified by States was ensuring regional diversity in indigenous peoples’ representation before the Human Rights Council, as well as promoting greater participation of indigenous women, young people and persons with disabilities. 40. While some States indicated that that was an opportunity for the Council to show leadership on the issue, others stressed that there was a need for a system-wide approach to indigenous peoples’ participation in the United Nations and that that process should be centralized at the level of the General Assembly. Finally, several States acknowledged the role of the United Nations Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples in supporting indigenous peoples’ participation in United Nations meetings and processes. 41. Several representatives of indigenous peoples took the floor, accredited under NGOs maintaining consultative status with the Economic and Social Council. They recalled the relevant provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, in particular article 18 on the right to participate in decision-making, and of General 6