PHNOM PENH (06 May 2016) – Since the beginning of the year, OHCHR has embarked in a collaboration with the Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) and the Koh Kong sub-national authorities for the “indigenous peoples’ identity registration” of eight indigenous communities of the Areng valley, the first of a three-step process toward indigenous communal land registration. Through several joint missions to the area, OHCHR has been helping the Ministry and the sub-national authorities develop procedures for the indigenous identity registration, facilitating trust-building between the indigenous peoples and the authorities, and supporting a better understanding by all of indigenous peoples’ rights. During its last mission, from 2 to 6 May 2016, all 8 villages elected their community committees’ representatives. It is expected that all eight villages will get their indigenous peoples’ identity registration with the MRD by the end of the year. This recognition will enable them to continue the process for their communal land titles and to better secure their rights and culture.