Following the recommendation by the World Conference on Human Rights that the General Assembly consider the establishment of a permanent forum for Indigenous people in the United Nations system, a workshop was held in June of 1995 in Copenhagen. Participants included 21 representatives of Governments, 21 delegates from Indigenous people, and two independent experts.

The issues discussed were the scope of a permanent forum, the United Nations body to which the proposed forum would report, the mandate and terms of reference, the activities it might undertake, membership and Indigenous participation, the relationship with the Working Group on Indigenous Populations, and financial and secretariat implications. At the request of the General Assembly, a review of existing mechanisms, procedures and programmes for Indigenous people in the United Nations system has been prepared by the Secretary-General.

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