MANILA -- Asian parliamentarians will meet in Manila on March 25-26 to discuss innovative approaches and solutions to issues affecting indigenous peoples.

“At present there are 370 million indigenous peoples in 90 countries around the world. They suffer higher rates of poverty, landlessness, and malnutrition. Parliamentarians are one of the key agents of change who can support indigenous peoples' participation in national policy formulation and implementation,” Yasuo Fukuda, Chair of the AFPPD and former Prime Minister of Japan said in a statement.

The group said the seminar will also give parliamentarians opportunity to understand the needs and problems of the indigenous peoples.

This regional seminar is being organized by the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (AFPPD) in collaboration with the Philippine Legislators' Committee on Population and Development, Inc. (PLCPD). (Virgil Lopez/Sunnex)