Biennial UN Global Indigenous Youth Forum (UNGIYF)

The biennial United Nations Global Indigenous Youth Forum (UNGIYF) is the only Indigenous-related high-level forum hosted by the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO). This UN Forum results from a 2017 recommendation from UNDESA to FAO through the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), which built upon FAO´s work with the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus (GIYC) in 2017 and the Rome Declaration on Indigenous Youth.

 

 

The inaugural Forum was hosted online in 2021 by the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus, Indigenous Champions of the UN Food Systems Summit and FAO. The online forum gathered hundreds of participants including Indigenous Youth, Elders, UN agencies, FAO Members, universities, and NGOs from all seven socio-cultural regions. The 2021 UN Global Indigenous Youth Forum resulted in the Indigenous Youth Global Declaration on Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems that fed recommendations directly in the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit. 

This October, the UNGIYF  is organized by the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus, the World Reindeer Herder’s Association, the Nomad Indigenous Food Lab, and DOCIP with the support of the FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit and hosted at the FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy from 16 - 20 October 2023. Over 200 Indigenous Youth will attend the event. 

The Forum will provide a space of dialogue between Indigenous Youth and FAO Members, UN Agencies, Universities, Research centres and other stakeholders to:

• Discuss policies affecting the future of Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems in the context of climate and biodiversity action.
• Advance the recommendations stated by the 2021 Global Indigenous Youth Declaration for Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems.
• Build upon the “My Food Vision…” Indigenous Youth campaign launched in October 2022.
• Build a line of work with the leadership of the Coalition on Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems to advance the objectives of the Coalition and campaign.
• Hold dedicated discussions with the FAO Investment Forum, the FAO Science & Innovation Forum, and the World Food Forum.

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The "My food vision is..." campaign, led by the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus, seeks to address the challenges faced by Indigenous Youth and provide sustainable solutions for food systems while combatting climate change. The Indigenous Youth created a position with their hands to symbolise mutual respect, reciprocity, and a need to protect Indigenous Peoples' food and knowledge systems, highlighting the importance of supporting Indigenous Youth and Mother Earth.  The campaign was launched live at the World Food Forum in October 2022, making strides towards the upcoming 2023 UN Global Indigenous Youth Forum.