Permanent Forum
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 coordination of activities related to indigenous issues within the UN system;
- prepares and disseminates information on indigenous issues The Permanent Forum holds annual two-week sessions.
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.
In addition to the six mandated areas (economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights), each session is thematically focused on a specific issue. During the Forum’s first six sessions, a specific theme was discussed each year. Since 2008, it has adopted a bi-annual working method of one year with a specific theme and the next year focussing on review of implementation.
The Permanent Forum is one of three UN bodies that is mandated to deal specifically with indigenous peoples’ issues. The others are the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Special Rapporteur Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
NEW! 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 to 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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Eight 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 to 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 to 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 to 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 to 21 May 2004 – United Nations Headquarters, New York
Special Theme: “Indigenous Women”
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Second Session (2003)
Second Session
11 to 23 May 2003 – United Nations Headquarters, New York
Special Theme: “Indigenous Children and Youth”
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First Session (2002)
First Session
12 to 24 May 2002 – United Nations Headquarters, New York
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