On April 25-May 6, 2026, the 21st session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues will take place. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, this year’s session will be primarily virtual, and its theme will focus on “Indigenous Peoples, business, autonomy and the human rights principles of due diligence including Free, Prior and Informed Consent."
Join us in amplifying Indigenous Peoples' voices this year at UNPFII with a series of events and opportunities below.
1. Join the conversation!
What are the pressing issues affecting your Indigenous community?
Create a short video (up to 2 minutes) and post it on Twitter and Facebook using #UNPFII21 #WeAreIndigenous #Proud2BIndigenous. Share your photos from the past UNPFIIs using the same hashtags.
Opening ceremony: Monday, April 25, 2022, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM ET
Closing session: Friday, May 6, 2022, 3:00 - 6:00 PM ET
Hybrid meetings: 9:00 - 11:00 AM and 3:00 - 5:00 PM ET
3. Attend a UNPFII side event.
A full list of side events can be found here. Join Cultural Survival at these events below:
Wednesday, April 27, 2022
11:15am - 12:45pm ET
On the Frontlines: Criminalization of & Violence against Indigenous Peoples and Indigenous Land Defenders.
Co-Sponsors: Minority Rights Group and Maya Leaders Alliance of Southern Belize
Indigenous Shareholder Advocacy & Leadership Training: Operationalizing FPIC in the Transition to Net Zero
Hosted by First Peoples Worldwide, which works alongside Indigenous communities and enterprises globally to advocate for Indigenous rights in the capital markets, this Shareholder Advocacy & Leadership Training (SALT) presents market-based strategies to advocate for development that occurs with the free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) of Indigenous Peoples. Information, case studies and resources will be provided to help Indigenous Peoples harness and mobilize shareholder and investment strategies to target the companies that are proposing harmful projects. The training also offers practical tools to protect Indigenous rights and resources, paving a path towards a just transition to net zero economy that protects the culture and wellbeing of Indigenous Peoples and telegraphs risks to business of failure to respect FPIC.
Teach-in: How to Maximize Your Advocacy Effectiveness using the Universal Periodic Review, Treaty Bodies, and the High-Level Political Forum to Advocate for Indigenous Rights
Presentation by Joshua Cooper, Executive Director, Oceania Human Rights, and Dean, Global Leadership Academy for Human Rights Advocacy.
Indigenous Solutions toward the New Energy Economy: Transition Minerals, Mining, and FPIC
Hosted by a global, Indigenous-led coalition working to forward the rights of Indigenous Peoples in transition mineral development, this panel spotlights leaders on the frontlines of mining engagements. They will map the global ecosystem and share pathways towards a just transition to sustainable and economic and resource development that protects both long-term shareholder value and the rights and culture of Indigenous Peoples around the world.
2067 Massachusetts Avenue
Cambridge, MA 02140
(617) 441-5400
www.cs.org
Cultural Survival advocates for Indigenous Peoples' rights and supports Indigenous communities’ self-determination, cultures and political resilience since 1972. We envision a future that respects and honors Indigenous Peoples' inherent rights and dynamic cultures, deeply and richly interwoven in lands, languages, spiritual traditions, and artistic expression, rooted in self-determination and self-governance.
