International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

The UNPFII25 will take place from 20 April – 1 May 2026. Theme: " Ensuring Indigenous Peoples' health, including in the context of conflict ". Closing of the session 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; promotes respect for and full application of the provisions of the UN Declara...

Indigenous youth leaders share perspectives on ocean protection, emphasizing Indigenous knowledge, rights, and the protection of ocean kin for health and well-being. This side event centers Indigenous youth leadership in ensuring Indigenous Peoples' health through the protection of ocean kin. For Indigenous coastal communities, ocean health is directly linked to physical health, food sovereignty, mental well-being, cultural continuity, and intergenerational resilience. In contexts of conflict—including resource extraction, pollution, overfishing, climate disruption, and the criminalization of Indigenous fishers—harm to ocean ecosystems results in direct harm to Indigenous Peoples' health systems and ways of life. Ocean kin are not resources; they are relatives within legal and governance systems grounded in responsibility and reciprocity. Indigenous youth are advancing rights-based frameworks that recognize the inherent rights of marine ecosystems while affirming Indigenous j...