International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples

The year 2026 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the mandate, which is an important milestone that invites reflection on achievements, challenges, and opportunities for the future. This moment provides a unique opportunity to take stock of progress made in advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples while acknowledging the persistent and emerging threats they continue to face . Against this backdrop, a side event at the 2026 session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will provide a timely and strategic platform to commemorate the legacy and impact of the Special Rapporteur's mandate. The event aims to bring together current and former mandate holders, Indigenous leaders, government representatives, UN agencies, and experts to reflect on how the mandate has shaped global advocacy and protection efforts. Participants will explore the major accomplishments and contributions of the mandate, celebrate the leadership and resilience of Indigenous Peoples, and highli...

The UNPFII25 will take place from 20 April – 1 May 2026. Theme: " Ensuring Indigenous Peoples' health, including in the context of conflict ". Discussion on the six mandated areas of the Permanent Forum (economic and social development, culture, environment, education, health and human rights), with reference to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development 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; ra...

This side event will introduce and provide an overview of the new UNPFII study positioning Indigenous health as a cross-sectoral indicator and systems integrator across United Nations mandates. Related Sites and Documents:  Concept Note . Watch the UNPFII Study on Indigenous Health as a Systems Integrator: Advancing UN System Coherence Through the Indigenous Determinants of Health Framework - UNPFII25 Side Event! Meetings & Events

Indigenous Health in Unexpected Places Plant Medicine, Economic Wellbeing, and Biodiversity Across International Agencies and Bodies: WEF, WIPO, CBD, UNESCO & WHO (UNPFII Side Event) Watch the Indigenous Health in Unexpected Places Plant Medicine, Economic Wellbeing, and Biodiversity Across International Agencies and Bodies: WEF, WIPO, CBD, UNESCO & WHO (UNPFII Side Event)! Side Events

Representatives of Indigenous Peoples, museums, UNESCO and EMRIP will share advances and successful efforts, propose ways to overcome obstacles and barriers, and identify next steps to support Indigenous Peoples' in exercising their right to repatriation of sacred items and human remains. Watch the International Repatriation of our Sacred Items: Progress, Challenges, and the Road Ahead (UNPFII Side Event)! Meetings & Events

The annual launching of The Indigenous World provides a unique opportunity for IWGIA to organize a panel with Indigenous leaders, UN mechanisms and other key stakeholders to address some of the core trends and developments with regards to Indigenous Peoples rights over the past year. Related Sites and Documents:  Concept Note . Watch the launch of The Indigenous World 2026 & Celebration of 40 Years of publishing The Indigenous World (UNPFII Side Event)! Meetings & Events

The UNPFII25 will take place from 20 April – 1 May 2026. Theme: "Ensuring Indigenous Peoples' health, including in the context of conflict". Human rights dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; annual review of progress on the implementation of general recommendation No. 39 (2022) 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 coo...