NEW YORK (United States): The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will convene its 25th annual session from April 20 to May 1, 2026, at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, focusing on the health of Indigenous Peoples in the context of conflict. The forum is a high-level advisory body mandated to address Indigenous concerns across economic and social development, culture, environment, education, health and human rights, guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The session will bring together representatives from Member States, UN agencies, intergovernmental organizations, Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations from seven socio-cultural regions, accredited academics and non-governmental organizations. Indigenous parliamentarians and national human rights bodies may also be invited to participate. Delegates will engage in plenary discussions, thematic dialogues and negotiated outcomes to shape recommendations for international and national action on issues affecting Indigenous communities worldwide.
The theme for the 25th session, “Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ health, including in the context of conflict,” reflects growing concerns over the impacts of armed conflict, displacement, limited access to health services and the disproportionate health burdens faced by Indigenous populations. Delegates are expected to examine systemic barriers to health equity, including the interplay between environmental degradation, territorial rights and access to culturally appropriate healthcare services.
The provisional agenda includes the election of officers, adoption of the session’s work programmed, thematic discussions on Indigenous health and the forum’s six mandated areas, and dialogues with Member States, UN entities and Indigenous representatives. Special sessions will focus on human rights issues with the participation of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples and experts from the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Additional agenda items will address Indigenous platforms within the UN system and thematic financing for Indigenous Peoples’ work and participation.
Preparatory activities ahead of the session have included an International Expert Group Meeting, held virtually in December 2025, which examined recognition of Indigenous rights in the context of climate change, biodiversity governance and territorial integrity with a focus on nomadic and semi-nomadic groups, including pastoralists and shifting cultivators. The outcomes of this expert meeting are expected to inform discussions at the 2026 session.
Accreditation and registration for participating organizations will be conducted in two stages. Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations and other accredited bodies must complete online accreditation and registration within specified deadlines early in 2026. Participants will be required to adhere to UN procedural and organizational guidelines to secure participation rights, including speaking opportunities in formal dialogues and interactive sessions.
As in previous years, side events will be coordinated by the Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs. These events, which include workshops, roundtable discussions and presentations, offer additional opportunities for sharing evidence, policy proposals and community perspectives on Indigenous issues. Side event registration will open in February 2026 for accredited participants.
The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, established in 2000, serves as a unique global platform for dialogue between Indigenous leaders, UN Member States and international organizations. It aims to elevate Indigenous voices in international policymaking and promote implementation of standards that protect Indigenous rights and welfare. Critics and advocates alike view the forum as a critical space for addressing long-standing disparities and advancing inclusive development that recognizes the cultural, social and economic contributions of Indigenous communities globally.
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