22nd Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Press briefing
WHAT:
The 22nd Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) will convene in New York from 17 to 28 April 2023, under the theme “Indigenous Peoples, human health, planetary and territorial health and climate change: a rights-based approach”.
Indigenous Peoples make up less than 6 per cent of the world’s population, but account for 15 per cent of those living in poverty. They live across some 90 countries, represent 5,000 different cultures and speak a majority of the world’s estimated 6,700 languages.
Indigenous Peoples are among the first to face the direct adverse consequences of climate change, due to their dependence upon and close relationship with the environment and its resources.
The global COVID-19 pandemic also proved that Indigenous Peoples are often disproportionately affected by epidemics and other crises, with Indigenous women and girls even more negatively impacted. It is therefore imperative that States focus on tackling the root causes of social and health inequalities of Indigenous Peoples.
Indigenous Peoples have proven themselves to be custodians of the environment and protectors of biodiversity and have time-tested solutions to offer to the challenge of climate change facing us all. Nearly 70 million depend on forests for their livelihoods, and many more are farmers, hunter gatherers or pastoralists. These communities thrive by living in harmony with their surroundings. Research shows that where Indigenous Peoples have control of the land, forests and biodiversity flourish.
WHO:
- H.E. Gustavo Petro, President of the Republic of Colombia
- Mr. Dario Mejía Montalvo, Chairperson, UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
- Ms. Naishorwa Masago, Masaai Indigenous rights leader, Field Officer at Pastoral Women’s Council, Tanzania
WHEN:
- Monday, 17 April 2023, 1:15 pm EDT
WHERE:
INDIGENOUS MEDIA ZONE
The Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch/Secretariat of the Permanent Forum and the UN Department of Global Communications, in partnership with Cultural Survival, is organising an Indigenous Media Zone from 17 to 20 April, alongside this year’s Forum. This will provide Indigenous media and journalists an opportunity to report on the session through Indigenous worldviews, perspectives and languages and organize media events. Non-Indigenous media are also welcome to join the Indigenous Media Zone.
The Indigenous Media Zone also aims to encourage the participation of Indigenous media practitioners in a wide variety of Indigenous languages from different regions, in line with the International Decade on Indigenous Languages (2022-2032).
The Indigenous Media Zone will provide a working space equipped with WiFi, a main stage with interviews, panel debates and discussions with Indigenous experts, human rights defenders, delegates and business leaders.
MEDIA ACCREDITATION
Registration for media accreditation is now open until 14 April 2023. For more information, please visit the UN Media Accreditation and Liaison Unit’s website or contact them at malu@un.org or +1 212 963 6934.
ABOUT UNPFII
The UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is the largest international gathering of Indigenous Peoples, with more than 1000 participants expected to attend. The Forum has gained increasing recognition and impact as the global platform for dialogue, cooperation and concrete action on Indigenous Peoples, with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the fundamental framework.
KEY LINKS FOR THE 22nd SESSION OF THE UNPFII
Website: UNPFII Twenty-second Session: 17-28 April 2023 | Division for Inclusive Social Development (DISD), UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs
More information on Indigenous Peoples and Covid-19:
COVID-19 and Indigenous Peoples
EGM: Indigenous Peoples and Pandemics, 2020
MEDIA CONTACTS
UN Department of Global Communications | Martin Samaan | samaanm@un.org
UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs | Leah Kennedy | kennedy1@un.org
Secretariat for UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues | gemma.kentish@un.org
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