The first meeting of the Permanent Forum was held in May 2002, with yearly sessions thereafter. The Forum usually meets for 10 days each year, at the UN Headquarters in New York. According to the ECOSOC resolution E/2000/22, the Forum may also meet at the UN Office in Geneva or at such other place that it decides.
The Permanent Forum’s engagement and role in promoting indigenous peoples’ rights are made possible through the Trust Fund on Indigenous Issues, which overall facilitates follow-up to the Forum’s recommendations, awareness raising and outreach on indigenous issues as well as representation and participation of Permanent Forum members at international meetings of significance for its mandate. In addition, the trust fund provides support for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. DESA is charged with the overall management of the Trust Fund, which is placed under the Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch-Secretariat of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
Twenty-second Session (2023)
Twenty-second session (2023) NEW
17 – 28 April 2023, UN Headquarters, New York
Special theme: “Indigenous Peoples, human health, planetary and territorial health and climate change: a rights-based approach”
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Twenty-first Session (2022)
Twenty-first session (2022)
25 April-6 May 2022, UN Headquarters, New York
Special theme: “Indigenous peoples, business, autonomy and the human rights principles of due diligence including free, prior and informed consent”
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Twentieth Session (2021)
Twentieth Session (2021)
19 – 30 April 2021 – UN Headquarters, New York
Special theme: “Peace, justice and strong institutions: the role of indigenous peoples in implementing Sustainable Development Goal 16”
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Nineteenth Session (2020)
Nineteenth Session (2020)
13 – 24 April 2020 – UN Headquarters, New York
Special theme: “Peace, justice and strong institutions: the role of indigenous peoples in implementing Sustainable Development Goal 16”
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Eighteenth Session (2019)
Eighteenth Session (2019)
22 April – 3 May 2019 – UN Headquarters, New York
Special theme: “Traditional knowledge: Generation, transmission and protection”
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Seventeenth Session (2018)
Seventeenth Session (2018)
16 – 27 April 2018 – UN Headquarters, New York
Special Theme: “Indigenous peoples’ collective rights to lands, territories and resources”
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Sixteenth Session (2017)
Sixteenth Session
24 April – 5 May 2017 – UN Headquarters, New York
Special Theme: “Tenth Anniversary of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: measures taken to implement the Declaration”
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Fifteenth Session (2016)
Fifteenth Session
9 – 20 May 2016 – UN Headquarters, New York
Special Theme: “Indigenous peoples: conflict, peace and resolution”
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Fourteenth Session (2015)
Fourteenth Session
20 April – 1 May 2015 – UN Headquarters, New York
Review year
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Thirteenth Session (2014)
Thirteenth Session
12 – 23 May 2014 – UN Headquarters, New York
Special Theme: “Principles of good governance consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: articles 3 to 6 and 46”
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Twelfth Session (2013)
Twelfth Session
20 – 31 May 2013 – UN Headquarters, New York
Review year
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Eleventh Session (2012)
Eleventh Session
7 – 18 May 2012 – UN Headquarters, New York
Special Theme: “The Doctrine of Discovery: its enduring impact on indigenous peoples and the right to redress for past conquests (articles 28 and 37 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples)”
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Tenth Session (2011)
Tenth Session
16 – 27 May 2011 – UN Headquarters, New York
Review year
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Ninth Session (2010)
Ninth Session
19 – 30 April 2010 – UN Headquarters, New York
Special Theme: “Indigenous peoples: development with culture and identity articles 3 and 32 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples”
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Eighth Session (2009)
Eighth Session
18 – 29 May, 2009 – United Nations Headquarters, New York
Review year
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Seventh Session (2008)
Seventh Session
21 April – 2 May, 2008 – United Nations Headquarters, New York
Special Theme: “Climate change, bio-cultural diversity and livelihoods: the stewardship role of indigenous peoples and new challenges”
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Sixth Session (2007)
Sixth Session
14 – 25 May 2007 – United Nations Headquarters, New York
Special Theme: “Territories, Lands and Natural Resources”
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Fifth Session (2006)
Fifth Session
15 – 26 May 2006 – United Nations Headquarters, New York
Special Theme: “The Millennium Development Goals and indigenous peoples: Re-defining the Millennium Development Goals”
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Fourth Session (2005)
Fourth Session
16 – 27 May 2005 – United Nations Headquarters, New York
Special Theme: “Millennium Development Goals and Indigenous Peoples with a focus on Goal 1 to Eradicate Poverty and Extreme Hunger, and Goal 2 to achieve universal primary education”
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Third Session (2004)
Third Session
10 – 21 May 2004 – United Nations Headquarters, New York
Special Theme: “Indigenous Women”
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Second Session (2003)
Second Session
11 – 23 May 2003 – United Nations Headquarters, New York
Special Theme: “Indigenous Children and Youth”
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First Session (2002)
First Session
12 – 24 May 2002 – United Nations Headquarters, New York
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