In the outcome document of the 2014 high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples A/RES/69/2, Members States committed to consider, at the seventieth session of the General Assembly, ways to enable the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions in meetings of relevant United Nations bodies on issues affecting them, including specific proposals made by the Secretary-General.

Following up on this commitment, the General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/70/232, entitled “Rights of Indigenous Peoples”, requested the President of the General Assembly, at its seventieth session, to conduct within existing resources, timely, inclusive, representative and transparent consultations with Member States, Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions from all regions of the world, and existing relevant mechanisms of the United Nations, on the possible measures necessary, including procedural and institutional steps and selection criteria, to enable the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions in meetings of relevant United Nations bodies on issues affecting them.

The President of the 70th session of the General Assembly appointed two Advisors from Member States and two Advisors from Indigenous Peoples:

H.E. Mr. Kai Sauer, Permanent Representative of Finland
H.E. Mrs. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Permanent Representative of Ghana,
Dr. Claire Winfield Ngamihi Charters of the Pacific Region
Dr. James Anaya of the North America Region

On 8 July 2016, the President of the 70th General Assembly circulated the compilation of the views expressed during the consultations, including concrete recommendations on the way forward, which were subsequently issued document A/70/990.

The General Assembly requested the President to prepare a compilation of the views presented during the consultation process, including good practices within the United Nations system regarding Indigenous Peoples’ participation, to form the basis for a draft text to be finalized and adopted by the 71st General Assembly.

To assist in implementing his mandate, the President of the General Assembly appointed two Advisors from Member States – H.E. Mr. Kai Sauer, Permanent Representative of Finland and H.E. Mrs. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Permanent Representative of Ghana, as well as two Advisors from Indigenous Peoples – Dr. Claire Winfield Ngamihi Charters of the Pacific Region and Dr. James Anaya of the North America region.

On 28 September, 2016 the President of the 71st Session of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Peter Thomson, reconfirmed the appointment of all four Advisors given their timely, inclusive representative and transparent consultations with Member States, Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions from all regions of the world and existing relevant mechanisms of the United Nations, pursuant to General Assembly Resolution A/RES/70/232.

On 8 July 2016, the President of the 70th General Assembly circulated the compilation of the views expressed during the consultations, including concrete recommendations on the way forward.

A/70/990 – Compilation of views on possible measures necessary to enable the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions in relevant United Nations meetings on issues affecting them, and of good practices within the United Nations regarding Indigenous Peoples’ participation, Note by the President of the General Assembly, 25 July 2016

In accordance with Resolution A/RES/70/232, the aforementioned compilation will form the basis for a draft text to be finalized and adopted by the General Assembly during its 71st Session.

Third Informal Interactive Hearing with Indigenous Peoples convened by the President of the 77^th session of the General Assembly

On Thursday, 20 April at 3 p.m. in Conference Room 1, the President of 77th session of the General Assembly, H.E. Csaba Kőrösi will conduct the third informal interactive hearing with Indigenous Peoples as part of the preparatory process for the consideration of possible further measures necessary to enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions in relevant United Nations meetings on issues affecting them by the General Assembly.

This hearing was requested by the General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/71/321 and was opened to Indigenous participants accredited to attend the 2023 session of the Permanent Forum.

The third informal interactive hearing will consist of an opening segment, a panel discussion and an interactive dialogue with Member States and Indigenous Peoples.

The detailed programme, concept note and further information on the meeting will be communicated in due course.

• Letter addressed to Indigenous Peoples on the 3rd informal interactive hearing, 13 February 2023

Having been postponed from the seventy-fourth session of the General Assembly by General Assembly decisions 74/565 and 75/561, the third and final informal interactive hearing was scheduled to take place on the margins of the 21^st session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in April 2022.

However, the Temporary Committee for the Indigenous Coordinating Body for Enhanced Participation in the United Nations, and the Group of Friends of Indigenous Peoples requested the postponement of the informal interactive hearing, to allow the broadest and inclusive participation of Indigenous Peoples and Member States.

Letter from the President of the General Assembly – Postponement of the Informal Interactive Hearing with Indigenous Peoples, 21 April 2022

Having been postponed from the seventy-fourth session of the General Assembly, the third and final informal interactive hearing was scheduled to take place on the margins of the 20th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in April 2021.

However, the Temporary Committee for the Indigenous Coordinating Body for Enhanced Participation in the United Nations, and the Group of Friends of Indigenous Peoples requested the postponement of the informal interactive hearing until in-person meetings can take place to allow the broadest and inclusive participation of Indigenous Peoples and Member States.

Letter from the President of the General Assembly – Postponement of the Informal Interactive Hearing with Indigenous Peoples, 12 April 2021

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues did not take place. Subsequently the third informal hearing with Indigenous Peoples convened by the President of the General Assembly did not take place either.

The Report of the Secretary-General A/75/255 entitled Enhancing the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions in meetings of relevant United Nations bodies on issues affecting them was released on 27 July, 2020. The General Assembly had requested this report by the end of its 74th session in its resolution 71/321 entitled “Enhancing the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions in meetings of relevant United Nations bodies on issues affecting them”.

Earlier in 2020, representatives of Indigenous Peoples had met in Quito, Ecuador to discuss the participation of Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations. The meeting resulted in an outcome document that included a decision establish a temporary committee of Indigenous representatives that would prepare the establishment of an Indigenous coordinating body to facilitate cooperation of Indigenous Peoples regarding the enhanced participation process. The establishment of the coordinating body has been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The General Assembly, in its resolution 71/321 entitled “Enhancing the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions in meetings of relevant United Nations bodies on issues affecting them” requested the President of the General Assembly “to organize and preside over three informal interactive hearings and to prepare a summary of each hearing, during its seventy-second, seventy-third and seventy-fourth sessions, on the margins of the sessions of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, with Indigenous Peoples, ensuring, to the extent possible, balanced regional representation”.

Second Informal Interactive Hearing with Indigenous Peoples convened by the President of the 73rd session of the General Assembly

On Thursday, 25 April (10 a.m – 1 p.m. and from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.) in Conference Room 1, the President of 73rd session of the General Assembly, H.E. Ms. María Fernanda Espinosa Garcés, conducted the second informal interactive hearing with Indigenous Peoples as part of the preparatory process for the consideration of possible further measures necessary to enhance the participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions in relevant United Nations meetings on issues affecting them by the General Assembly at its seventy-fifth session.

This hearing was requested by the General Assembly in its resolution A/RES/71/321 and was opened to Indigenous participants accredited to attend the 2019 session of the Permanent Forum.

This second informal interactive hearing provided an opportunity for Indigenous Peoples to express their views and make concrete proposals on the enhancement of their participation at United Nations.  Furthermore, it provided an opportunity for frank and honest dialogue between Member States and Indigenous Peoples with the aim to advance the discussions from the first interactive hearing.

The second informal interactive hearing consisted of an opening segment, followed by two panels – one on selection criteria, and a second on venues and modalities of participation – each with an interactive discussion component with Member States and Indigenous Peoples, and a closing segment.

• Letter addressed to Indigenous Peoples on the second informal interactive hearing, 21 March 2019
• Concept note of the Second Informal Interactive Hearing
• Agenda of the Second Informal Interactive Hearing
• Summary of the Second Informal Interactive Hearing

Webcast 

(Opening and Panel 1)

Panel 1: “Selection criteria”

This session will build on previous discussions around selection criteria and examine key issues of the right to self-determination and self-identification.   While this is entrenched in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other international human rights law, the lack of adherence is a block in Indigenous participation.  Consideration of various examples such as the UNFCCC and the Permanent Forum may be helpful.  Speakers are encouraged to provide ways to move the discussion forward.

(Panel 2 and Closing)

Panel 2: “Venues and modalities of participation”

• Interactive dialogue full view
• A participant
• Panel 1
• PGA and a participant
• PGA
• UNPFII Chair
• Wide view of the room
• From podium to the room

First Informal Interactive Hearing with Indigenous Peoples convened by the President of the 72nd session of the General Assembly

• Letter to All Permanent Representatives and Permanent Observers to the United Nations New York
• Concept note and programme of the First Informal Interactive Hearing
• Statement by H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčá, President of the 72nd session of the General Assembly
• Webcast
• Summary of the First Informal Interactive Hearing

Photos

• Mirna Cunningham addresses the audience (Photo 1 and Photo 2)
• Wilton Littlechild addresses the audience (Photo 3 and Photo 4)
• Andrew Gilmour, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights, addresses the audience (Photo 5)
• H.E. Mr. Miroslav Lajčák, President of the seventy-second session of the General Assembly addresses the audience (Photo 6)

The President of the 71^st session of the General Assembly, H.E. Mr. Peter Thompson, in response to Resolution A/RES/69/2, conducted an informal launch briefing on the next steps of the consultation process and possible measures to enable the participation of Indigenous Peoples at relevant United Nations bodies on issues affecting them.

The PGA reconfirmed the appointment of H.E. Mr. Kai Sauer, Permanent Representative of Finland; H.E. Ms. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, Permanent Representative of Ghana; Dr. James Anaya; and Dr. Claire Winfield Ngamihi Charters (via video conference) as advisors to the process. At the briefing, the Advisors referred to the compilation of views gathered during the consultations held under the leadership of the PGA of the 70th Session, as well as the way forward.

The Advisors proposed that the next discussions on the matter take place on 14 and 15 December in New York, after delegations finish the Third Committee work. Subsequent meetings are planned to take place during the week of 30 January to 3 February 2017, in early March, as well as during the 16^th session of the Permanent Forum.

Roadmap for PGA’s consultations December 2016 to May 2017:

Following the briefing of the PGA’s Advisers on the process of the participation of Indigenous Peoples at the UN on 3 October 2016, the following indicative roadmap and approach to the consultation process was elaborated, taking into account the views of Member States and Indigenous Peoples representatives:

• 14 and 15 December 2016
• 30 January to 1 February 2017
• 27 and 28 February 2017
• The weeks of the Permanent Forum,Wednesday 26th April 2017 from 3-6 PM in Conference Room 4 (CR4), and Wednesday 3rd May 2017 from 10 AM-1 PM in Conference Room 4 (CR4) as well.  On Friday 5th May, an Informal briefing to Indigenous Peoples about the negotiations will take from 2 to 3 PM in room S-1524 (15th Floor).

After these discussions a draft resolution would be finalized and adopted by the General Assembly as set out in General Assembly resolution A/RES70/232.

Informal launch briefing, 3 October 2016 (webcast)

• Letter from the PGA to indigenous peoples (23 January 2017)
• Elements for further discussion (23 December 2016)  / Español /French / Russian

27 and 28 February 2017Monday, 27 February
10 am – 1 pm: Bilaterals with Member States and Indigenous peoples
3 pm – 6 pm: Bilaterals with Member States and Indigenous peoplesTuesday 28 February
10 am – 11:30 am – Consultations: segment 1: Decision, current practices, venues of participation
11:30 am – 1 pm – Consultations: segment 2: Participation modalities
3 pm – 4:30 pm – Consultations: segment 3: Selection mechanism
4:30 pm – 6 pm – Consultations: segment 4: Selection criteriaVenue: Conference Room 2, UNHQ

• Letter from the PGA to indigenous peoples (16 February 2017)
• Elements for further discussion (February 2017)  / Español /French / Russian

26 April, 3 and 5 May 2017

To hear first comments on the text related to the process concerning the ways to enable the participation of indigenous peoples representatives

Wednesday 26 April 

3 pm – 6 pm in Conference Room 4, UNHQ

Wednesday 3 May

10 am – 1 pm in Conference Room 4, UNHQ

Intergovernmental negotiations on the draft

Friday, 5 May

10am – 1pm for first reading

Monday, 8 May

10am – 1pm / 3pm-6pm

Following dates will be Thursday, 25  to Friday, 26 May, full day sessions.

Venue: To be confirmed

• Letter from the Advisers to the PGA on the consultations process concerning the ways to enable the participation of indigenous peoples representatives (10 April 2017)

Letters from the 71st President of the General Assembly

• Letter from the Advisors to the PGA containing an informal summary of the discussions on the consultation process (11 September 2017)

• Letter from the President of the General Assembly containing the Draft Resolution on Enhancing the participation of indigenous peoples’ representatives and institutions in meetings of relevant United Nations bodies on issues affecting them (10 August 2017)

• Letter from the Advisers to the PGA containing the updated second revised text for the upcoming negotiations scheduled for (21-23 June and 27-28 June 2017)

• Letter from the Advisers to the PGA containing the second revised text for the upcoming negotiations scheduled for (9 June 2017)

• Letter from the PGA to indigenous peoples containing the second revised draft text for upcoming negotiations on the consultations process concerning the ways to enable the participation of indigenous peoples representatives (6 June 2017)

• Letter from the Advisers to the PGA containing the first revised draft text for upcoming negotiations scheduled for 25 and 26 May, 2017 (18 May 2017)

• Letter from the PGA to indigenous peoples containing the draft text for upcoming negotiations for the finalization and adoption of the outcome by the Assembly during its seventy-first session (24 April 2017)

• Letter from the Advisers to the PGA on the consultations process concerning the ways to enable the participation of indigenous peoples representatives (21 April 2017)

• Letter from the Advisers to the PGA on the consultations process concerning the ways to enable the participation of indigenous peoples representatives (10 April 2017)

• Letter from the PGA to indigenous peoples (16 February 2017)

• Elements for further discussion (February 2017) Spanish / French / Russian

• Letter to PGA from Advisers (15 February 2017)

• Letter from the PGA to indigenous peoples (23 January 2017)

• Elements for further discussion (23 December 2016)  / Español /French / Russian

• Letter from the Advisers to the PGA on the consultation process, transmitting the updated version of the elements paper to serve as a basis for discussion during the consultation taking place from 30 January to 1 February 2017 (23 December 2016)

• PGA letter convening a meeting on the issue of participation of indigenous peoples at the United Nations (2 December 2016)

• PGA letter re-appointing the four Advisers  convening a meeting on the issue of participation of indigenous peoples at the United Nations (28 September 2016)

• PGA letter enclosing the communication from the Advisers on the roadmap and way forward on the consultations for the participation of indigenous peoples at the United Nations (18 September 2016)

• Letter from the Advisors to the PGA containing an informal summary of the discussions on the consultation process (11 September 2017)
• Letter from the President of the General Assembly containing the Draft Resolution on Enhancing the participation of indigenous peoples’ representatives and institutions in meetings of relevant United Nations bodies on issues affecting them (10 August 2017)
• Letter from the Advisers to the PGA containing the updated second revised text for the upcoming negotiations scheduled for (21-23 June and 27-28 June 2017)

• Letter from the Advisers to the PGA containing the second revised text for the upcoming negotiations scheduled for (9 June 2017)

• Letter from the PGA to indigenous peoples containing the second revised draft text for upcoming negotiations on the consultations process concerning the ways to enable the participation of indigenous peoples representatives (6 June 2017)

• Letter from the Advisers to the PGA containing the first revised draft text for upcoming negotiations scheduled for 25 and 26 May, 2017 (18 May 2017)

• Letter from the PGA to indigenous peoples containing the draft text for upcoming negotiations for the finalization and adoption of the outcome by the Assembly during its seventy-first session (24 April 2017)

• Letter from the Advisers to the PGA on the consultations process concerning the ways to enable the participation of indigenous peoples representatives (21 April 2017)

• Letter from the Advisers to the PGA on the consultations process concerning the ways to enable the participation of indigenous peoples representatives (10 April 2017)

• Letter from the PGA to indigenous peoples (16 February 2017)

• Elements for further discussion (February 2017) Spanish / French / Russian

• Letter to PGA from Advisers (15 February 2017)

• Letter from the PGA to indigenous peoples (23 January 2017)

• Elements for further discussion (23 December 2016)  / Español /French / Russian

• Letter from the Advisers to the PGA on the consultation process, transmitting the updated version of the elements paper to serve as a basis for discussion during the consultation taking place from 30 January to 1 February 2017 (23 December 2016)

• PGA letter convening a meeting on the issue of participation of indigenous peoples at the United Nations (2 December 2016)

• PGA letter re-appointing the four Advisers  convening a meeting on the issue of participation of indigenous peoples at the United Nations (28 September 2016)

• PGA letter enclosing the communication from the Advisers on the roadmap and way forward on the consultations for the participation of indigenous peoples at the United Nations (18 September 2016)

Other documents

• Draft resolution by the General Assembly on enabling the participation of indigenous peoples’ representatives and institutions in meetings of relevant UN bodies on issues affecting them (21 April 2017) | ES | FR | RU|

Compilations

The final draft compilation of 8 July 2016 is based on the electronic consultation, existing United Nations reports on Indigenous peoples’ participation in the United Nations processes, earlier responses to questionnaires on Indigenous Peoples’ participation at the United Nations and good practices within the United Nations and the consultative meetings with Members States and Indigenous Peoples on 11 and 18 May, 30 June, as well as meetings held with Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and members of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

List of compilations:

• Final Compilation 8 July
• Compilation 27 May
• Compilation 16 May
• Compilation 27 April

List of discussion papers:

• Discussion paper for 18 May Consultation

List of addendums:

• Addendum to the final compilation 8 July
• Addendum to the compilation 27 May

Information on this process is also available in Spanish, French and Russian.
*Please note that the translation of the compilations and addendums is unofficial and done outside the UN system, thus there might be some inaccuracy in terminology, for which the United Nations and the Advisory team of the President of the General Assembly are not accountable.

Consultations

The consultative meetings of 11 May, 18 May and 30 June can be viewed via the links below:

• Consultations on 11 May 2016: Webtv Link
• Consultations on 18 May 2016: Webtv Link
• Consultations on 30 June 2016: Webtv Link

Inputs received to the electronic consultation as of this day can be viewed here.

Launch and timetable

A first informal launch briefing on the process took place on 7 March 2016.

• Video 1: PGA welcomes the process on how best to ensure the participation of Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations
• Video 2: PGA refers to Resolution 70/232 of 23 December 2015 and the background for the consultations
• Video 3: PGA explains the purpose of the consultation process

For the full video recording of the briefing, click here. You can also watch some extracts of the video below:

In the launch briefing the four Advisers presented an indicative roadmap for the consultation process as follows:

Letters from the 70th President of the General Assembly

• Letter from the Advisers to the PGA on the consultations process concerning the ways to enable the participation of indigenous peoples representatives (10 April 2017)
• Letter from the Advisers to the PGA on the consultations process, format and venue (2 December 2016)
• Letter enclosing a letter from the Advisers of the consultation process containing the final compilation of the views expressed by Member States and Indigenous Peoples (8 July 2016)
• Letter to transmit a short discussion paper from the Advisers of the consultation process for the participation of Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations (27 June 2016)
• Letter enclosing a letter from the Advisers of the consultation process containing the third compilation of the views expressed by Member States and Indigenous Peoples (27 May 2016)
• Letter enclosing a letter from the Advisers of the consultation process containing the second compilation of the views expressed by Member States and Indigenous Peoples (16 May 2016)
• Letter enclosing a letter from the Advisers of the consultation process concerning the ways to enable the participation of indigenous peoples’ representatives and institutions in meetings of relevant UN bodies on issues affecting them (27 April 2016)
• Letter enclosing the communication from the Advisers on the way forward on the consultations on the participation of indigenous peoples at the United Nations (9 March 2016)
• Letter addressed to indigenous peoples on the launching of a process of the General Assembly to consider how to enable the participation of indigenous peoples at the United Nations (26 February 2016)
• Letter convening a briefing on the issue of participation of indigenous peoples at the United Nations (25 February 2016) 
• Letter appointing the four Advisers who will assist him in conducting consultations on the participation of indigenous peoples at the United Nations (18 February 2016) 

A/70/990 Compilation of views on possible measures necessary to enable the participation of indigenous peoples’ representatives and institutions in relevant United Nations meetings on issues affecting them, and of good practices within the United Nations regarding indigenous peoples’ participation, Note by the President of the General Assembly, 25 July 2016

General Assembly Resolutions

• A/RES/69/2 World Conference on Indigenous Peoples Outcome Document (September 2014)
• A/RES/70/232 General Assembly Resolution on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

International Instruments

• The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights
• The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
• Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• ILO Convention No 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples in Independent Countries (1989)

Other Documents

• A/HRC/21/24 Report of the Secretary General on ways and means of promoting participation at the United Nations of indigenous peoples’ representatives on issues affecting them
• A/70/84–E/2015/76 Report of the Secretary General on Progress made in the implementation of the outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples
• A/HRC/EMRIP/2010/2 Report of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Progress report on the study on indigenous peoples and the right to participate in decision-making
• A/HRC/18/42 Expert Mechanism final report on its study on indigenous peoples and the right to participate in decision making
• A/67/994 Alta Outcome Document of the Global Indigenous Preparatory Conference for the United Nations High Level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples
• Inter-Agency Support Group on Indigenous Peoples’ Issues thematic paper towards the preparations of the 2014 World Conference on Indigenous Peoples: The Participation of Indigenous Peoples at the United Nations (June 2014)
• Participation of indigenous peoples at the United Nations: Overview of responses by indigenous peoples and Member States to a 2015 questionnaire