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Indigenous Peoples

FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit (PSUI)

The Indigenous Peoples Unit (PSUI), part of FAO Partnerships and UN Collaboration Division (PSU), is the focal point for the work with Indigenous Peoples within the organisation. PSUI works closely with Indigenous Peoples to achieve FAO's mandate of freeing the world from hunger and malnutrition, recognising the pivotal role that Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems play in this respect.

PSUI main objectives

In alignment with Indigenous Peoples’ rights:

  • Implementing the FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples through the joint work programme;
  • Advocating and assisting other FAO technical divisions in integrating Indigenous Peoples into their work;
Influencing key policy processes and creating open spaces of dialogue between decision-makers and Indigenous Peoples within FAO’s mandate.
PSUI programme of work
The Indigenous Peoples Unit’s programme of work was elaborated in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples’ representatives from the seven socio-cultural regions of the world, to match their needs for assistance with FAO’s technical competencies.

The programme of work consists of two focus areas:
     Indigenous Youth;
     Indigenous Women;

and seven pillars:
     1) Coordination;
     2) Advocacy and capacity development;
     3) Free, prior and informed consent;
     4) Indigenous Peoples’ food systems;
     5) Indicators for food security;
     6) Voluntary guidelines of tenure.
     7) Traditional knowledge and climate change.
Indigenous man in the Amazon

Indigenous man  paddling in the Tikuna-Cocama-Yagua Indigenous reserve in the Colombian Amazon