UNPFII Twenty-third Session: 15-26 April 2024

UNPFII Opening 2023

Theme: "Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth”

Dates: The twenty-third session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues will take place in-person from 15-26 April 2024.

Location: UN Headquarters, New York

Report of the Twenty-third Session

Report of the Twenty-third Session: E/2024/43 | E/C.19/2024/8

Attendance at the 23rd Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues: E/C.19/2024/INF.1

Preparations

International Expert Group Meeting: “Indigenous Peoples in a Greening Economy” 

23-25 January, University of Boulder, Colorado, USA

The Indigenous Peoples Development Branch within the Division of Inclusive Social Development of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs will organise an International Expert Group Meeting on the theme, “Indigenous Peoples in a Greening Economy”, recommended by the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and endorsed by the Economic and Social Council. 

See here for more information


Pre-sessional Meeting

The pre-sessional meeting of the Members of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues will be held from 11 to 12 April 2024 in New York, UNQH. 

Questionnaires:

Provisional Agenda

Provisional Agenda for the twenty-third session (E/C.19/2024/1)

1. Election of officers.

2. Adoption of the agenda and organization of work.

3. Discussion on the theme “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth”.

4. 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.

5. Dialogues:
(a) Dialogue with Indigenous Peoples;
(b) Dialogue with Member States;
(c) Dialogue with the United Nations agencies, funds and programmes;
(d) 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);
(e) Regional dialogues;
(f) Dialogue on Indigenous platforms established within United Nations entities;
(g) Thematic dialogues, including on the financing of Indigenous Peoples’ work and participation in the context of, inter alia, development, climate, environment and biodiversity.

6. Future work of the Permanent Forum, including issues considered by the Economic and Social Council, the outcome document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and emerging issues.

7. Provisional agenda of the twenty-fourth session of the Permanent Forum.

8. Adoption of the report of the Permanent Forum on its twenty-third session.

In-person Registration

In-person Registration 

Member States, the UN and other intergovernmental organizations, Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations and academia accredited to the Permanent Forum and NGOs in consultative status with ECOSOC can participate in the annual session of the Forum. 

Registration for UNPFII 2024 was open from 19 February until 18 March 2024. We are unable to accept any late registrations.  

The focal point designated in the iCSO system had the responsibility to approve the individual registration of their delegates in INDICO system.   

Delegates approved by the Conference Focal Points of accredited Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations and academia, and NGOs in consultative status to the ECOSOC should have received a confirmation letter to the email address registered in INDICO system.  

The focal points are kindly requested to make sure that their profile and contact information on the integrated Civil Society Organizations (iCSO) System includes the latest correct information about their organizations. 

Collection of UN grounds passes 

Pick-up Location: UN Pass and ID office, 320 E 45th St, New York, NY 10017 

Please note that in-person registration is only open to those who have already registered, been approved, and received a confirmation letter of their attendance via the INDICO system. 

Please present yourself at the UN Pass and ID offices, which is open from 9 am to 11 am Monday to Wednesday

Representatives must bring their UNPFII 2024 Confirmation Letters as well as a valid passport issued by a Member State or an Observer State of the United Nations (or government-issued photo-ID if coming from within the U.S.) in order to collect their grounds pass.  

Please keep your Temporary Ground Pass with you at all times during the event, as it will be the ONLY pass valid for Non‐UN Ground Pass holders to enter the UN building and conference rooms. 

 
********************** 

Note: The United Nations does not charge fees for participation in the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues’ sessions. The United Nations will not pay for any expenses in connection with the participation of IPOs, Academia, NGO representatives in the sessions of UNPFII. Such arrangements and costs are the exclusive responsibility of participants. 

 

Programme of Work

Programme of Work (E/C.19/2024/L.1/Rev.1)

FIRST WEEK 10:00-13:00 (New York time) 15:00-18:00 (New York time)
Monday 15 April

Ceremonial sounding and entrance of the Members of the Forum (GA Hall, 10:50 am)

Opening of the session (GA Hall, 11 AM) 

Programme

Declaration of the opening of the session by Under Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Li Junhua

Ceremonial welcome by traditional Chief of the Onondaga Nation, Tadodaho Sid Hill

Election of the Chair of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Item 1

Election of the Bureau of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues Item 1

Adoption of the Agenda and Programme of Work Item 2

Statement by the Chair of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Ms Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim

Statement by the President of the 78th session of the General Assembly, H.E. Dennis Francis

Statement by the President of Economic and Social Council, H.E. Paula Narváez

Statement by the Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs, Mr. Li Junhua

Statement by the Vice President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia, H.E. David Choquehuanca

Statement by Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Brazil, H.E. Sônia Guajajara

watch here

Press Conference

Item 4 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

E/C.19/2024/4 International Expert Group Meeting on the Theme "Indigenous Peoples in a greening economy"

E/C.19/2024/6 "Criminalization of Indigenous Peoples’ human rights"

[Speakers’ list]

watch here

Tuesday 16 April

Item 3 Discussion on the theme “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth”

Concept Note

 

Panel

H.E. David Choquehuanca, Vice-President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia

Prof. James Anaya, University of Colorado Boulder Law School

Ms. Makanalani Gomes, Co-Chair, Global Indigenous Youth Caucus 

[Speakers’ list]

watch here

Item 3 (continued) Discussion on the theme “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth”

E/C.19/2024/3 "Guiding principles for the implementation of Indigenous Peoples’ rights to autonomy and self-government"

[Speakers’ list]

watch here

Wednesday 17 April

Item (5g) Thematic dialogues, including on the financing of Indigenous Peoples’ work and participation in the context of, inter alia, development, climate, environment and biodiversity 

Concept Note

Keynote speaker: Diego Casaes, Program Director, Climate Emergency Collaboration Group (CECG)

E/C.19/2024/7 "Financing the future: the financial needs of Indigenous Peoples to support their actions for biodiversity, climate and the protection of Mother Earth"

Invited speakers to deliver statements

[Speakers’ list]

watch here

*** Delegations are encouraged to attend the High-level event to be convened by the President of the General Assembly to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples.

Official webpage

Programme

Statement by the Chair of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

watch here

Thursday 18 April

Closed meeting for Permanent Forum members

Item 5 (a) Dialogue with Indigenous Peoples (closed meeting)

[Interactive dialogue]

Friday 19 April

Item 4 (continued) 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

E/C.19/2024/5 "Improving the health and wellness of Indigenous Peoples globally: operationalization of Indigenous determinants of health"

[Speakers’ list]

watch here

Item 5 (f) Dialogue on Indigenous platforms established within United Nations entities

Concept Note

First segment:

Ad Hoc Open-ended Intersessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity (Parties of the Convention, Indigenous Peoples)

Secretariat of the CBD

International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity

Second segment:

Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP)

International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum on Climate Change at UNFCCC

Third segment:

Green Climate Fund Secretariat

Voluntary Fund on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

[Interactive dialogue]

watch here

     
SECOND WEEK

10:00-13:00 (New York time)

15:00-18:00 (New York time)
Monday 22 April

Item 5 (d) 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)

Concept Note

Panel

Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Mr. Francisco Calí Tzay

Vice-Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Ms. Valmaine Toki

Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights on intimidation and reprisals for cooperation with the UN (statement to be delivered by Chief, Indigenous Peoples and Minorities Section, OHCHR, Mr. Hernan Vales)

[Interactive dialogue]

watch here

Item 5 (d) (continued) 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)

[Speakers’ list]

watch here

Tuesday 23 April

Item 6 Future work of the Permanent Forum, including issues considered by the Economic and Social Council, the outcome document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and emerging issues

[Speakers’ list]

watch here

Item 5 (c) Dialogue with the United Nations agencies, funds and programmes (closed meeting)     

Concept Note

[Interactive dialogue]
Wednesday 24 April Closed meeting for Permanent Forum members

Item 5(e) Regional Dialogues between Indigenous Peoples and Member States

  • 15:00-16:15 – Central & South America and the Caribbean Concept Note (Conference Room 4)
  • 16:30-18:00 – Africa. Concept Note (Conference Room 4)

[Interactive dialogue]

Thursday 25 April

Item 5(e) (continued) Regional Dialogues between Indigenous Peoples and Member States (simultaneous)

  • 10:00-11:15 – Central and Eastern Europe, the Russian Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia. Concept Note (Conference Room 4)
  • 11:30-13:00 – The Arctic Concept Note (Conference Room 4)

[Interactive dialogue]

  • 10:00-11:15 – North America. Concept Note (Conference Room 11)
  • 11:30-13:00 – Asia. Concept Note (Conference Room 11)

[Interactive dialogue] 

Item 5(e) (continued) – Regional Dialogues between Indigenous Peoples and Member States 

[Interactive dialogue]

***

16:30-18:00 Item 5(b) Dialogue with Member States (closed meeting)

[Interactive dialogue]

Friday 26 April Closed meeting for Permanent Forum members

Item 7 Provisional agenda for the twenty-fourth session of the Permanent Forum

Item 8 Adoption of the report of the Permanent Forum on its twenty-third session

Closing ceremony (5pm)

Statement by the Chair of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Ms Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim

watch here

Documents

Documents submitted by the Secretariat of the UNPFII:

E/C.19/2024/L.1/Rev.1 Programme of Work AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH

E/C.19/2024/2 Indigenous Peoples and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and implementation of the system-wide action plan for ensuring a coherent approach to achieving the ends of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Note by the Secretariat AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH 

E/C.19/2024/4 International Expert Group Meeting on the Theme "Indigenous Peoples in a greening economy": Note by the Secretariat AR | EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH 

Documents prepared by Members of the UNPFII:

E/C.19/2024/7 Financing the future: the financial needs of Indigenous Peoples to support their actions for biodiversity, climate and the protection of Mother Earth, by Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim AREN | ES | FR | RU | ZH

E/C.19/2024/3 Guiding principles for the implementation of Indigenous Peoples’ rights to autonomy and self-government, by Tove Søvndahl Gant, Suleiman Mamutov and Valentina Vyacheslavovna Sovkina  AR EN | ES | FR | RU | ZH

E/C.19/2024/5 Improving the health and wellness of Indigenous Peoples globally: operationalization of Indigenous determinants of health, by Geoffrey Roth AREN | ES | FR | RU | ZH

E/C.19/2024/6 Criminalization of Indigenous Peoples’ human rights, by Naw Ei Ei Min and Rodrigo Eduardo Paillalef Monnard AREN | ES | FR | RU | ZH

Responses to the questionnaire submitted by the UN system and other Inter-governmental organizations

  • DCO: EN 

  • DPPA-DPO-PBSO: EN 

  • ECLAC: EN 

  • EU: EN 

  • FAO: EN 

  • IADB: EN

  • IFAD: EN

  • ILC: EN

  • IOM: EN 

  • ITU: EN

  • OHCHR: EN

  • PAHO: EN

  • SCBD: EN

  • UNESCO: EN

  • UN Habitat: EN 

  • UN Women: EN 

  • UNAIDS: EN 

  • UNDP: EN 

  • UNEP: EN 

  • WFP: EN 

  • WHO: EN

  • WIPO: EN 

Registration for the List of Speakers

Lists of Speakers/Interactive Dialogues

To speak at the Forum, participants can engage through two opportunities outlined in the Programme of Work: "List of Speakers" (for pre-registered observers) and "Interactive Dialogues" (open to everyone). 

 

Interactive Dialogues: For agenda items 5(a), 5(b), 5(c), 5(d), 5(e), and 5(f), there is no pre-established speaker list. Observers can request the floor at the beginning of each session by raising their hand and pressing the microphone button. Interventions could be limited to three minutes or shorter. 

 

Lists of Speakers: Available to registered observers, all participants except Academia can register to speak on agenda items 3, 4, 5 (d), 5 (g), and 6. The speakers will rotate among Member States, accredited Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations, and UN agencies. Each speaker can speak once per agenda item, limited to 3 minutes. 

 

Registration dates and times for the List of Speakers

Monday 15 April in Conference Room E

Time: 1:30 pm – 2:30pm

Item: 4 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 UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

Time: 5 pm – 6pm

Item: 3 Special theme of session: “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth

 

 

Tuesday, 16 April in Conference Room E

Time: 1:30 pm – 2:30pm

Items: 5 (g) Thematic dialogues: financing of Indigenous Peoples’ work and participation in the context of inter alia, development, climate, environment and biodiversity

 

Monday, 22 April in Conference Room E

Time: 1:30pm – 2:30pm

Items: 5 (d) 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)

Time: 5 pm – 6pm

Item: 6 Future work of the Permanent Forum, including issues considered by the Economic and Social Council, the outcome document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and emerging issues

Information Note for Participants

Please see here for the Information Note for Participants.

Side Events

Side Events at the United Nations Headquarters:

Registration for side events was open from 19 February to 29 February 2024. Only approved side events (held inside UN premises) will be contacted by Mr. Amri Sherzamonov (amri.sherzamonov@un.org) and Ms. Monina Tran (monina.tran@un.org), in the forthcoming days with further details and billing costs. Please carefully read the guidelines.

Guidelines: 

Time  

Due to lack of rooms available in the UN premises, side events will be held parallel to the Forum (10am to 6pm only). Only one side event per organization can be accommodated, and rooms have been allocated accordingly.

Technical requirements 

Laptops, desktop computers, and interpretation services are not provided in any of the events. Note that alphabet conference rooms do not have interpretation booths. Technical requirements such as webcast, microphones, recording, PowerPoint presentations, online/hybrid participation, and interpretation booths must be addressed from the onset to be assigned conference rooms equipped with these needs.  

Billing/Cost 

The standard rate for equipment and conference room usage in the UN premises has increased. For any changes or cancellations to conference room requests received beyond the deadline, organizers will be held liable for any additional costs.   

Please note that organizers will be billed through their BP number accounts created with the UN. Payments in the form of cash or credit will not be accepted on the day of your event.  

For first-time side event organizers, be advised that you will be required to create a BP number to hold a side event in UNHQ. Further instructions on how to create an account to follow.  

For Member States, UN entities, and other organizers who already have existing BP numbers, no further action will be required. However, you will need to provide your BP number for billing purposes.  

Organizers are welcome to share a brief summary of their special event.

Side events (held outside UN premises):

Please be informed that side events held off-site (outside UN premises) will not be required to register by the 29 February deadline. This deadline only pertains to side events that will be held on UN premises. Kindly note that organizers holding their side events outside UN premises still need to be accredited to the UNPFII and be thematically related to the 23rd Session of UNPFII for their side events to be published on our webpage.

Should you wish to be included in the list of side events held outside UN premises, please submit the following information to ronja.poerhoe@un.org (with copy to amri.sherzamonov@un.org and monina.tran@un.org): Subject: External UNPFII side event info for distribution

Name/Title of Event:

Date:

Time:

Venue (address):

Organizer:

Interpretation available in (indicate languages):

Contact Person:

Contact Email Address:

In-person/Hybrid/Remote:

Link to event/webpage:

Updates of side events held outside the UN premises will be done:

Week 1 external side events: Thursday, 11 April at 6pm (NY time)

Week 2 external side events: Thursday, 18 April at 6pm (NY time)

The organizations of the United Nations system are committed to enabling events taking place in an inclusive, respectful and safe environment. All participants of the UNPFII, in-person and online, and any contributions they make, must comply with the United Nations Code of Conduct.  By engaging in UNPFII you accept and agree to abide by the United Nations Code of Conduct.

Other Events

 

  • Cultural event on the occasion of the 23rd session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues

Venue: Millennium Hilton New York One UN Plaza, Diplomat Ballroom, 1 United Nations Plaza, New York

Date: Monday, 15 April 2024

Time: 6.30 pm – 9 pm

Participants: Accredited participants to the 23rd session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues ONLY (Indigenous Peoples, Member States, UN entities, NGO’s)

Organized by Land is Life and The Christensen Fund.

Given limited capacity, the event will be open on a first-come-first-served basis.

Please note that the cultural event will be photographed and participants consent to have their photos taken during the event.

Light Refreshments will be provided.

 

  • Friday, 12 April, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Global Indigenous Women's Caucus

Venue: 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10017.

 

  • Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 April, 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM: Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus. 

Venue: 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10017.

 

  • Monday, 15 April, 9 am – 4 pm. Global Indigenous Youth Caucus Preparatory Meeting

Venue: Tapei Economic and Cultural Office, 1 East 42nd Street, 12th floor

 

  • Wednesday, 17 April 2024, 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM: The Indigenous Peoples Craft Fair. 

Venue: 777 United Nations Plaza, 2nd floor, New York, NY 10017.

 

List of other events outside UNHQ as of 9 April 2024.

Indigenous Media Zone

Indigenous Media Zone

The Secretariat of the Permanent Forum (SPFII) and the Department of Global Communications (DGC), in partnership with Cultural Survival, is organising an Indigenous Media Zone during the 23rd session of the Permanent Forum in 2024.  This will allow Indigenous media, journalists and platforms an opportunity to report on the session through Indigenous worldviews, perspectives and languages and organize media events around the theme of the session - “Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth”. Non-indigenous media are also welcome to join the Indigenous Media Zone.

Further, in line with the International Decade on Indigenous Languages, the Indigenous Media Zone will aim to encourage the participation of Indigenous media practitioners in a wide variety of Indigenous languages from different regions.

Programme and Events

IMZ programme

The Indigenous Media Zone will provide Indigenous media, journalists and platforms a working space equipped with WiFi and a live stream of events happening inside the United Nations during the 23rd Session of the Permanent Forum. The space will also allow for interaction with non-indigenous media. The Media Zone will include:

  • Main stage: Live webcast interviews, panel debates and discussions with Indigenous experts, human rights defenders, delegates and business leaders
  • Media workspace: Real-time coverage, interaction with speakers and blogging about events
  • UNPFII Live streaming: Follow live content from the UNPFII meetings
  • Social media: Facebook Live and Twitter conversations

Detailed events of the programme will be designed in collaboration with Indigenous media groups and will be announced at a later date. Events will be organized around the theme of the Permanent Forum session and issues related to the agenda of the session. In the context of increasing global discourse on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, events around the 2030 Agenda will also be included.

Main target group and audience

The primary users of the Indigenous Media Zone will be Indigenous media, journalists, bloggers, advocates and spokespersons, from both national media and community media. Non-indigenous media, including UN correspondents, are also be invited to join the media zone, particularly for main panels and interviews, and to encourage meaningful networking with Indigenous media and channel the voices of Indigenous Peoples into mainstream media. 

Organizers

The Indigenous Media Zone is organized by SPFII, DGC, and Cultural Survival, in cooperation with Indigenous media groups and networks and other UN entities.

Indigenous media groups and networks are invited to submit ideas for various media events with topic and format of the event and identification of potential speakers.

PLEASE NOTE: SPFII or DGC do not have financial resources to support travel or other costs for participation in the Indigenous Media Zone.

Reprisals

Given that the United Nations relies on the cooperation of the people whom it serves and that everyone, individually and in association with others, has the right to unhindered access to and communication with the Organization, the Permanent Forum urges Indigenous Peoples to report on threats, human rights abuses and reprisals for participating in the Forum to OHCHR at reprisals@ohchr.org and indigenous_un@un.org [UNPFII 2019, rec.18].

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)? 

The UNPFII is one of three UN mechanisms specifically addressing Indigenous Peoples' issues, focusing on economic and social development, culture, education, environment, health, and human rights. 

2. What is the theme of the UNPFII 2024 Session? 

The theme is "Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth." 

3. When and where will the UNPFII 2024 Session take place? 

The session will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 15 to 26 April 2024 at Conference Room 4. 

4. Where is the opening ceremony? 

The opening of the twenty-third session of the Permanent Forum will take place at the General Assembly Hall on 15 April 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can access the GA Hall from 10 a.m. using the ceremonial stairs or the elevator.  

5. Who can participate in the UNPFII 2024 Session? 

Member States, UN and intergovernmental organizations, Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations (IPOs), accredited academics, and NGOs in consultative status to ECOSOC can participate. This year, given the focus on Indigenous youth voices, those below 18 years of age can apply to participate, following the steps on the website

6. How can I register for the UNPFII 2024 Session? 

Registration is open in two stages. The first stage is for organizations participating for the first time and not accredited in the iCSO system from January 22 to 12 February 2024. The second stage will open from 19 February until 18 March 2024, for previous participating organizations, and organizations from the first stage who have been approved. Late registrations cannot be accepted. Visit our website for detailed instructions. 

7. Who will approve your registration? 

To proceed to the second stage of registration, individual participants from approved organizations will be checked by your organization’s designated focal point in the INDICO system. After being approved, a confirmation letter will be generated automatically.  

8. Who are the focal points? 

Each organization must designate a focal point on iCSO. 

9. What are the collection procedures for UN grounds passes? 

Those pre-registered and approved can collect their passes during specified times that will be announced. Please bring confirmation letters and valid forms of identification (passport/ID). 

10. Are there fees for participating in UNPFII sessions? 

The United Nations does not charge fees for participation. Participants are responsible for their expenses. 

11. How can participants with disabilities get assistance? 

Please contact the UN Accessibility Centre, accessibilitycentre@un.org, and the Secretariat through the email address cianciulli@un.org.  

12. What is the Programme of Work for the UNPFII 2024 Session? 

The Programme of Work details how each meeting will be organized. For the full programme please visit the website

13. How can participants speak at the Forum?  

To speak at the Forum, participants can engage through two opportunities outlined in the Programme of Work: "Lists of Speakers" (for pre-registered observers) and "Interactive Dialogues" (open to everyone). 

Lists of Speakers: Available to registered observers, all participants except Academia can register to speak on agenda items 3, 4, 5 (d), 5 (g), and 6. The speakers will rotate among Member States, accredited Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations, and UN agencies.  Each speaker can speak once per agenda item, limited to 3 minutes. Venue to be confirmed. 

Interactive Dialogues: For agenda items 5(a), 5(b), 5(c), 5(d), 5(e), and 5(f), there is no pre-established speaker list. Observers can request the floor at the beginning of each session by raising their hand and pressing the microphone button. Interventions could be limited to three minutes, or shorter. 

14. How are seating arrangements organized during sessions? 

The first two rows are reserved for Forum Members. Indigenous Peoples Organizations, Indigenous Parliamentarians, UN entities and UN Member States please sit under your nameplate. 

During the opening meeting on the morning of 15 April, seating will also be available for Indigenous Peoples Organizations at the Hall of the General Assembly on a first-come first-served basis. Please be seated under the nameplate “Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations”. 

15. Are there side events during the UNPFII 2024 Session? 

Yes, side events organized by registered organizations will take place. Some side events will take place within the Conference building, while others will be held at external venues. Please refer to the list of side events published on our website for more information. Registration for side events runs from 19 February to 29 February.  

In addition, other events are taking place at the Church Center of the United Nations, located at 777 United Nations Plaza (corner of East 44th Street and 1st Avenue). The Global Indigenous Women's Gathering is scheduled for 12 April; The Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus meeting for 13 and 14 April; and the Indigenous Craft Fair is anticipated to take place 17 April. Please check our website for event timings. 

16. How can the media attend the session? 

Accredited media can attend. Journalists without UN credentials must apply online. Some sessions will be broadcast online, and there will be an Indigenous Media Zone. 

17. What is the Indigenous Media Zone? 

The “Indigenous Media Zone” (IMZ), organized in coordination with the Department of Global Communication and Cultural Survival, aims to provide a space for Indigenous and mainstream media channels and platforms to cover the 23rd Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Non-Indigenous media are welcome to join. 

Located in the UN Correspondents Association Room (3rd floor, Secretariat building, S-310) from Monday to Thursday, 15-18 April, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To access the UNCA room, please take the escalator from the 1B level.  

To register in the IMZ and request a time slot for an interview, please sign up from 11 March to 1 April (LINK TBC). 

18. Is there an event to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples? 

On 17 April, from 3 pm to 6 pm, on the margins of the Permanent Forum, the President of the General Assembly will convene a high-level event to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. Registered organizations can attend. More details can be found (LINK TBC). 

19. What do I need to do if I am delivering a statement? 

Participants who will deliver statements at the plenary meetings are requested to send a copy (in both PDF and Microsoft Word formats) to estatements@un.org no later than two hours in advance of the delivery of the statement. The name of the meeting and the speaker, as well as the agenda item, should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the email and in the heading of the statement. 

20. Does the UN assist with travel to New York? 

Travel arrangements, including visa procedures, are the responsibility of participating organizations. The United Nations will send a confirmation letter to pre-registered representatives to the email address registered in the INDICO system, which can be used for visa requests. 

21. Where can I find all relevant documents and information? 

All official UN documents, including the agenda and program, are available on our website in all UN languages. 

 

 

Videos and Meetings Coverage of the 23rd Session of the UNPFII

Opening Ceremony of the 23rd Session

Webcast

  • 2d meeting – Item 4 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
  • 3rd meeting Item 3 Discussion on the theme "Enhancing Indigenous Peoples' right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth"
  • 4th meeting Item 3 (continued) Discussion on the theme "Enhancing Indigenous Peoples' right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth"
  • 5th meeting Item (5g) Thematic dialogues, including on the financing of Indigenous Peoples' work and participation in the context of, inter alia, development, climate, environment and biodiversity
  • High-level event to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples
  • 6th meeting Item 4 (continued) 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
  • 7th meeting Item 5 (f) Dialogue on Indigenous platforms established within United Nations entities
  • 8th meeting Item 5 (d) 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) 
  • 9th meeting Item 5 (d) (continued) 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)
  • 10th meeting Item 6 Future work of the Permanent Forum, including issues considered by the Economic and Social Council, the outcome document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and emerging issues

Closing Ceremony of the 23rd Session

  • Item 7 Provisional agenda for the twenty-fourth session of the Permanent Forum

  • Item 8 Adoption of the report of the Permanent Forum on its twenty-third session

  • Closing of the session

  • Closing Ceremony Video 

     

Meeting Coverage 

At Annual Forum, United Nations Issues Call for Closing Financial Gaps for Indigenous Peoples, 15 April 2025, HR/5479

Enhanced Participation of Indigenous Peoples

Enhanced Participation of Indigenous Peoples

Informal consultation with Indigenous Peoples convened by the President of the 78th session of the General Assembly H.E. Dennis Francis on Wednesday, 17 April, 2024, at 10:00 am in Conference Room 2. 

Venue: Conference room 2 (revised 12 April 2024)

Time: 10 am - 1pm

No interpretation available 

Indigenous participants accredited to attend the 2024 session of the Permanent Forum will attend the informal consultations.

Invitation Letter from the President of the General Assembly to Indigenous Peoples (11 April 2024)

10th anniversary of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples