(New York 15 – 17 January 2014) The Special Rapporteur discussed the importance of giving focused attention to sexual health and reproductive rights within the broader topic of indigenous health at the UN Permanent Forum – sponsored International Expert Group Meeting on the theme: “Sexual health and reproductive rights: article 21, 22(1), 23 and 24 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples” held in New York. The Special Rapporteur provided an opening statement discussing barriers indigenous peoples face in realizing their right to health, including inadequate access to health care, a lack of culturally appropriate health services and contamination of indigenous lands and natural resources.