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Indigenous Peoples

UN Global Indigenous Youth Forum (UNGIYF) 

The biennial UN Global Indigenous Youth Forum (UNGIYF) is the only high-level forum in the UN dedicated to Indigenous Youth. Since its inauguration, in 2021, it had been hosted by FAO. The UNGIYF is a unique space of dialogue and discussion for Indigenous Youth from all the seven socio-cultural regions of the world. It is their chance to meet, raise their voices and share concerns and proposals with Member States, UN Agencies, academia, research centres and other stakeholders. The last Session was held in 2023, and the next will occur in 2025.

The II Session of the UN global Indigenous Youth Forum (UNGIYF) 

Indigenous Youth voices and challenges from the UNGIYF

History of the UNGIYF

- In 2016, the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Peoples Issues (UNPFII) issued an alarming report on the reality of self-harm and suicide rates amongst Indigenous Youth. Amongst other issues (land grabbing, forced dispossession and assimilation, cultural and biodiversity loss), Indigenous Youth were severely affected by the loss of their food and knowledge systems.

- In 2017, FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit organised a meeting between the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus (GIYC) and the Organisation's senior management. The meeting resulted in the Rome Statement on the Contribution of Indigenous Youth Towards a World Without Hunger.

- In 2019, UNDESA/UNPFII issued a recommendation to FAO to create the UNGIYF.

- In 2021, after three years of work to set up the secretariat, the first Session of the UNGIYF was held online, due to pandemic restrictions. Just under 140 Indigenous Youth participated in the Forum, which resulted in the Indigenous Youth Global Declaration on Sustainable and Resilient Food Systems.

- In 2022, a delegation of Indigenous Youth met in-person at FAO Headquarters (Rome) to launch the "My Food Vision Is..." campaign.

- In 2023, the first in-person gathering of the UNGIYF was held at FAO Headquarters (Rome). Almost 190 Indigenous Youth participated in the Forum,  which resulted in the Rome Declaration on Safeguarding Seven Generations in Times of Food, Social and Ecological Crisis.
Session at the UNGIYF

Indigenous Youth and Indigenous Peoples experts at the II Session of the UNGIYF - 2023

The II Session of the UNGIYF was held at FAO Headquarters in Rome between the 16-20 October 2023.

  • 186 Indigenous Youth from 54 countries, speaking 93 languages and representing 98 Indigenous Peoples' groups, gathered in person for the event.
  • The UNGIYF was held in a group of Saami Indigenous nomadic tents. The Forum's space was declared Indigenous territory.
  • It featured more than 20 sessions and side-events, an exhibition on Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems and a NO-honey bar to advocate on the importance of non-Apis mellifera bee products.
  • Each day, Indigenous chefs served 300 bowls of soup to Member States' delegates and visitors, to commemorate the Choctaw People and their gift to the Irish famine.
  • The UNGIYF main themes were the future of Indigenous Peoples' food and knowledge systems in the context of climate and biodiversity action; the impact of pesticides, extractive industries and ultra-processed foods on Indigenous Peoples; the protection of Indigenous plant genetic resources; and the importance of Indigenous-led education.