Traveller groups at the Durban conference say they are pleased the discrimination they face will be recognised for the first time by a UN world forum.
Conference texts due to be formally adopted encourage the 170 participating states to work to eradicate discrimination faced by Travellers and three other nomadic groups, the Roma, Gypsies and Sinti.
Mr Patrick Nevin, from the Pavee Point National Traveller Resource Centre, said the achievement "shows that the Traveller issue is not a national issue. It's a world issue and it's on the world agenda and that in itself is something".
States are encouraged in the programme of action to "adopt appropriate and concrete policies and measures", in co-operation with representatives of the four groups to eradicate discrimination.
The sections of the programme of action dealing with discrimination and positive actions towards Travellers and other nomadic groups were agreed in a preparatory meeting last month, and are due to be ratified by the Durban conference.
Six Traveller organisations are attending the event and Traveller representatives are part of the official Irish delegation, which also includes representatives of other minority groups.
Ms Lena Joyce from Pavee Point is due to address the conference today, the first time a Traveller will have spoken at the plenary session of a global forum.
Earlier this week Ms Catherine Joyce from the Irish Traveller Movement spoke at a parallel gathering of non-governmental organisations in Durban attended by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mrs Mary Robinson, and the UN Secretary General, Mr Kofi Annan.
In a statement from the floor of the hall Ms Joyce stressed the need for recognition of gender discrimination against groups already facing discrimination on other grounds.