“If private companies engage in development activities on indigenous territories, they must be aware of and respect international human rights standards concerning indigenous peoples and deal with indigenous peoples as equal partners in the development projects,” Special Rapporteur James Anaya told representatives of oil and gas companies at a seminar in Cartagena, Colombia. The seminar, Interculturalism and the Oil & Gas Industry in Latin America & the Caribbean, was organized by the Regional Association of Oil and Natural Gas Companies in Latin America and the Caribbean (ARPEL), and took place on May 24 and 25, 2010. In his presentation the Special Rapporteur stressed that development projects on indigenous territories should take place only with the free, prior and informed consent of the affected indigenous communities. See highlights of the Special Rapporteur’s presentation at the seminar. [English] [Spanish].