FAO at the 24th Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is a high-level advisory body to the Economic and Social Council. The Forum was established on 28 July 2000 by resolution 2000/22, with the mandate to deal with Indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.   

More specifically, the Permanent Forum: provides expert advice and recommendations on Indigenous issues to the Council, as well as to programmes, funds and agencies of the United Nations, through ECOSOC; raises awareness and promotes the integration and coordination of activities related to Indigenous issues within the UN system; prepares and disseminates information on Indigenous issues; and promotes respect for and full application of the provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and follows up on the effectiveness of this Declaration (Art. 42 UNDRIP). 

FAO works for the recognition, preservation and promotion of Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems—game-changers in transforming agrifood systems. FAO engages with Indigenous Peoples through policy dialogue, capacity development and platforms like the Global-Hub on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems. A key moment during the Forum will be a meeting between FAO and the Global Indigenous Youth Caucus (GIYC) to prepare for the Third Global Forum on Indigenous Youth—the only event of its kind in the UN system, co-organised by FAO and GIYC. Learn more at the FAO Indigenous Peoples website.

The 24th Session of the Forum on Indigenous Issues will convene, in person from 21 April to 2 May 2025, under the theme “Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples within United Nations Member States and the United Nations system, including identifying good practices and addressing challenges”.  

 Follow @FAOIndigenous and @FAONewYork on Twitter for all the latest updates.  

FAO-led side events at the 24th Session of UNPFII

Side Event

22 April 2025| 4:30 – 5:45 PM EDT | Conference Room 5, UN HQ

The importance of mobility within Indigenous Peoples’ food strategies for biodiversity and food security

Co-organized by the Global-Hub on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems.

This side event will present the importance of mobility within Indigenous Peoples' strategies for food, livelihoods and territoriality, and its importance for biodiversity conservation. The paper was compiled through inputs from over 70 Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and experts, scientists, researchers, and UN staff from across the world. The drafting was coordinated by the Global-Hub on Indigenous Peoples’ Food Systems and edited by a Technical Editorial Committee. This side event will present on key highlights from the paper, and the discussion will focus on proposing actionable policy recommendations to support Indigenous Peoples’ mobility and collective rights, and in turn their food security and sustainable management of resources.  

23 April 2025| 10:00 – 11:15 AM EDT | Conference Room 5, UN HQ

Indigenous Peoples and Resilience – Towards Intercultural Policy

Co-organized by the Indigenous Peoples Observatory Network (IPON), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Climate and health policy has often overlooked the needs and voices of Indigenous Peoples’ communities, including their adaptive mechanisms of resilience and preparedness. This side event will present on the results of collaborative work between FAO, IPON, PAHO and WHO, on the promotion of Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge and resilience mechanisms within these policies. The session will particularly highlight the method of intercultural dialogues promoted by PAHO with IPON, which brings together researchers, community leaders and knowledge holders in this shared space. The session will also showcase examples from Indigenous Peoples in different socio-cultural regions, indicating the ways that Indigenous Peoples have demonstrated resilience against severe environmental and socio-economic stressors. The session will offer recommendations to transform the current policy landscape, which often excludes Indigenous Peoples – to instead promote policies and policy structures that include Indigenous ways of knowing and doing to enhance preparedness and resilience.