The UNPFII Twenty-Fifth Session
United Nations Permanent Forum Marks Twenty-Five Years Focusing on Health and Conflict
July 02nd, 2026
On April 20, 2026, the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) opened its twenty-fifth session at the UN Headquarters in New York. This milestone event, marking the forum's silver anniversary, convened over 1,000 participants, including Indigenous leaders, Member State representatives, and UN officials. The session was inaugurated by senior dignitaries, including Secretary-General António Guterres and Chairperson Aluki Kotierk.
The central theme for this session was “Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ health, including in the context of conflict”. Participants explored how health outcomes are inextricably linked to land rights, cultural integrity, and environmental stability. Discussions emphasized that armed conflicts and colonial legacies continue to displace Indigenous communities, disrupting traditional healing practices and overall collective well-being.
The forum also highlighted the disproportionate impact of climate change on Indigenous territories. Experts discussed the urgent requirement for “free, prior and informed consent” regarding extractive industries and green energy transitions on ancestral lands. Furthermore, the session addressed rising threats against human rights defenders, noting that at least 196 environmental defenders were killed in 2023.
Marking twenty-five years of advocacy, the event served as a platform for strengthening Indigenous contributions to multilateral processes. Significant attention was given to gender representation, with women holding 11 of the 16 expert positions this year. Leaders urged Member States to integrate the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into domestic law and provide direct financing for Indigenous-led initiatives.
The session concluded with comprehensive recommendations aimed at achieving justice, reparations, and sustainable development for Indigenous communities globally. As the forum looks toward future milestones, it remains a vital space for amplifying the voices of a group representing six per cent of the world’s population. The event reaffirmed that Indigenous wisdom is essential for navigating contemporary global uncertainties.
