FAO at the 21st Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII21)

The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) is a high-level advisory body to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), tasked with discussing and advising on Indigenous Peoples' issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.

The Permanent Forum (i) provides expert advice and recommendations on indigenous issues to the Council, as well as to programmes, funds and agencies of the UN; (ii) raises awareness and promotes the integration and coordination of activities related to indigenous issues within the UN system; (iii) prepares and disseminates information on indigenous issues; and (iv) promotes respect for and full application of the provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The 21st Session of the UNPFII, due to take place from 25 April to 6 May, will convene under the thematic focus 'Indigenous peoples, business, autonomy and the human rights principles of due diligence including free, prior and informed consent'.

With 476 million Indigenous Peoples in the seven socio-cultural regions of the world, spanning 90 countries and belonging to more than 5 000 different groups, FAO's work with Indigenous Peoples on the road to a Zero Hunger world is vital and rooted in its efforts to ensuring that no one is left behind, as part of the agri-food systems transformation our world needs – anchored in calls for Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life for all.

Indigenous Peoples' territories encompass 28 percent of the surface of the globe and contain 11 percent of the world’s forests. They are also guardians to almost 80 percent of the world’s remaining biodiversity. In addition, Indigenous Peoples’ food systems have high levels of self-sufficiency, ranging from 50 to 80 percent in food and resources generation. Yet, over 19 percent of the world's extreme poor are Indigenous Peoples, oftentimes finding themselves at the forefront of climate hazards and food insecurity.

Read more about FAO and Indigenous Peoples, including its work on Free, Prior and Informed Consent and the latest book on Indigenous Peoples' food systems and insights on sustainability and resilience. 

Access the full list of UNPFII21 side events here.

Access the flagship publication 'The Indigenous World 2022' launched during UNPFII.

Stay up to date on the latest updates on FAO at UNPFII here.

FAO at UNPFII21: Side events

(All times listed below are New York time)

Tuesday, 26 April | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
"FPIC for climate action: Acknowledging Indigenous Peoples as guardians for biodiversity"

Co-organized by: FAO, UNEP, and McGill Centre for Human Rights and Legal Pluralism

The Director of the FAO Liaison Office for North America, Jocelyn Brown Hall, will deliver opening remarks.

The Head of the FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit, Yon Fernández de Larrinoa, will participate.

Visit the dedicated UNPFII21 website | Concept note and Agenda | Register

Thursday, 28 April | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
"Indigenous Peoples' biocentric restoration: How Indigenous Peoples' food and knowledge systems inform cosmogonic restoration processes"

Co-organized by: FAO, Inter Mountain Peoples Education and Culture in Thailand (IMPECT), Indigenous Partnership on Agrobiodiversity and Food Sovereignty, Ărramăt project, and Global Hub on Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems

The Climate Change and Resilience Team Leader in the FAO Forestry Division, Amy Duchelle, will participate.

Visit the dedicated UNPFII21 website | Concept note and Agenda | Register

Friday, 29 April | 7:30 AM - 8:45 AM
"Addressing the human rights of Indigenous Peoples in SDG 14 and the Blue Economy"

Co-organized by: The Danish Institute for Human Rights, International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA), Indigenous Peoples' Major Group for Sustainable Development, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA) 2022

Visit the dedicated UNPFII21 website | Concept note | More information | Register

Wednesday, 4 May | 12:45 PM - 2:00 PM
'Launch of the 'Sustainable and Resilient Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems for Improved Nutrition' digital toolbox'

Organized by: International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

The Head of the FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit, Yon Fernández de Larrinoa, will participate.

Visit the dedicated UNPFII21 website | Concept note and Agenda | More information | Register

Thursday, 5 May | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
"Collective and tenure rights for sustainable Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems in the context of the 10th anniversary of the Voluntary Guidelines on the Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries and Forests (VGGT) and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA) 2022"

Co-organized by: FAO, Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO), Ekta Parishad, and the International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture (IYAFA) 2022

Visit the dedicated UNPFII21 website | Agenda | Register 

The Director of the FAO Inclusive Rural Transformation and Gender Equality Division, Benjamin Davis, will deliver opening remarks.

The Head of the FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit, Yon Fernández de Larrinoa, will participate.