5 February 2019: A report from the UN Secretariat highlights developments in enhancing the participation of indigenous peoples’ representatives and institutions in relevant UN bodies, and better integrating the rights of indigenous peoples into the 2030 Agenda process at global, regional and country levels. The report, titled ‘Update on the activities of the members of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch’ (E/C.19/2019/4), was issued ahead of the 18th session of the PFII, which will take place in April and May 2019.

On participation in relevant UN bodies, the report provides an overview of consultations related to development of a draft text on the participation of indigenous peoples’ representatives and institutions in meetings of relevant UN bodies on issues affecting them. This consultation process culminated in the development of a draft resolution in August 2017, and a hearing in April 2018, during which “Indigenous peoples and many UN Member States expressed deep dissatisfaction regarding the outcome.” The February 2019 report of the Secretariat states that the President of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) will “continue the process and will organize an informal interactive hearing” during PFII 18.

The report also highlights strategies and priorities undertaken to support the implementation of the PFII’s mandated areas of work and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The report provides updates on work related to: indigenous peoples’ health and well-being; indigenous peoples’ collective rights to lands, territories and resources; implementation of the UNDRIP at regional and national levels; indigenous peoples and migration; indigenous women; and country-level implementation, among other topics.

On the 2030 Agenda, the Permanent Forum has included a standing agenda item on the 2030 Agenda in its session to gather input and suggestions on better integrating the rights of indigenous peoples into the 2030 Agenda process at global, regional and country levels. The Forum has followed up on implementation of the Montevideo Consensus on Population and Development, advocating for data and references to indigenous peoples, women, children and youth in country reports on implementation of the Consensus, and for implementing priority measures of the Consensus with full participation of indigenous peoples. Additional activities related to the 2030 Agenda and indigenous peoples include: an integration segment on leveraging technology and integration to achieve the SDGs in May 2018, which emphasized the importance of policy integration and coherence of actions; and contributions to the topic of indigenous women and health.

The document also reports that the Forum’s Vice-Chair, Tarcila Rivera Zea, highlighted the importance of increasing the visibility of indigenous women and girls in implementing the 2030 Agenda, including through enhanced data disaggregation, enhanced participation of indigenous women in the design of education systems that promote sustainable development, and recognition of the role of indigenous women in the management of resources and as guardians of biodiversity. Zea advocated for indigenous womens’ rights to participate in decision-making in the context of biodiversity-related conventions and in implementation of SDG 6 (clean water and sanitation). In Peru, she promoted the inclusion of indigenous peoples’ rights by the Government of Peru and civil society in implementing the 2030 Agenda.

The PFII is an expert body tasked with providing advice on indigenous issues to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). [Publication: Update on the activities of the members of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues and the Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch]