UNPFII25: Item 6 – Future work of the Permanent Forum, including issues considered by the Economic and Social Council, the outcome document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and emerging issues

Joint Statement to the 25th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
United Nations Headquarters, New York 
Item 6: Future work of the Permanent Forum, including issues considered by the Economic and Social Council, the outcome document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and emerging issues

29 April 2026
Statement by: Asia Indigenous Peoples Caucus
Presented by: Emily Hang

Thank you, Madam Chair,

I am speaking on behalf of the Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus. As in previous years, the Caucus would like to make the interventions to share several recommendations for consideration. We will reiterate some key points that we have also raised in past sessions.

We wish to congratulate and thank the Chair and members of the Permanent Forum for facilitating productive and meaningful engagement during this session. Moving forward, the Asia Indigenous Peoples’ Caucus would like to recommend the following:

1. To ensure effective and meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples, we recommend reorganizing the modalities of the Forum to include more working group sessions on thematic issues, followed by plenary sessions. This would allow for broader regional representation and more in-depth discussions from diverse perspectives.
2. We recommend holding an annual session of the Permanent Forum in Asia (UNESCAP in Bangkok), in accordance with ECOSOC Resolution 2000/22, paragraph 4, which allows the Forum to meet at locations it may decide. This would enable greater participation of Indigenous Peoples from Asia and support the development of recommendations to advance their rights and status.
3. We appreciate the introduction of the new online system for speaker registration and the open hand-raising feature during interactive dialogues. We recommend retaining the option to sign up for joint statements, as this amplifies collective voices, reduces the need for multiple individual registrations, and ensures representation for those who prefer not to speak individually.
4. Due to time constraints, not all registered speakers are able to deliver their statements. We recommend collecting written submissions and formally considering them when speakers are unable to present. Additionally, side events should be scheduled in a way that does not overlap with official sessions, allowing participants to engage fully.
5. We recommend undertaking constructive dialogue with Member States and Indigenous Peoples on the implementation of UNDRIP, including progress in laws and policies, ongoing challenges, and how these are addressed in the General Assembly. We also recommend convening a high-level plenary to commemorate the 20th anniversary of UNDRIP, highlighting concrete milestones, including progress on the enhanced participation of Indigenous Peoples in the UN.
6. We support the recommendation of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples’ (WCIP) recommendation to establish an Inter-Agency Support Group (IASG) on Indigenous Issues in Asia and other regions to further support the mandate of the forum at the country level
7. At all levels—from plenary to dialogue sessions—we recommend ensuring inclusive discussions that reflect regional perspectives and guarantee the effective and meaningful participation of Indigenous women, youth, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ communities.
8. Finally, we recommend that the UNPFII urge States to remove barriers to participation by facilitating timely and affordable visa processes for Indigenous Peoples, including those with disabilities and their assistants, and by providing adequate support mechanisms. We further call on States to ensure the safety and protection of Indigenous delegates, including guarantees that they can participate freely in UNPFII sessions and return safely to their home countries without fear of intimidation or reprisals.

Thank you.

Click here to download the full joint statement UNPFII25 Item 6