Chaired by Canadian Ambassador to Italy and Permanent Representative Alexandra Bugailiskis, the Informal Group of Friends of Indigenous Peoples in Rome was launched at its first meeting that took place on 14 November 2019, at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) in Rome.

Seventeen FAO member countries participated in the first meeting of the Group of Friends of Indigenous Peoples with the main objective of advocating for Indigenous issues and to exchange experiences of work with Indigenous peoples.

Member countries agreed with FAO on the potential of Indigenous Peoples to contribute through their knowledge and food systems to the global discussions on climate change and sustainable food systems.

The informal group is looking forward to include more countries in the Friends of Indigenous Issues. 

The main discussions were on the objectives of the Group, the establishment of a roadmap, and the workplan of the group in order to influence and advocate other groups or initiatives and ensure Indigenous Peoples are included.

The FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit will provide support hosting the secretariat of the informal group.