Indigenous and Tribal Peoples | www.ilo.org/indigenous | www.pro169.org

History of UNPFII

The UNPFII was first proposed by indigenous peoples

Discussions on the establishment of such a body began in the late 1980s

Its creation was recommended by the World Conference on Human Rights in Vienna in 1993

In 2000, it was decided to establish the UNPFII as an advisory body to ECOSOC

UNPFII held its first Session in May 2002 in New York

Indigenous and Tribal Peoples | www.ilo.org/indigenous | www.pro169.org

Indigenous and Tribal Peoples | www.ilo.org/indigenous | www.pro169.org

Mandate of UNPFII

• To discuss indigenous issues within the mandate of ECOSOC relating to:

1. Economic and social development2. Culture3. Environment4. Education5. Health6. Human rights

Indigenous and Tribal Peoples | www.ilo.org/indigenous | www.pro169.org

• The Inter-Agency Support Group (IASG): was established to support and promote the mandate of the UN• Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues within the United Nations system. Its mandate was later expanded

to include support indigenous related mandates throughout the inter-governmental system. It allows the UN system and other intergovernmental organizations to analyze recommendations made by the Forum with a view to facilitating comprehensive and coordinated responses to the UNPFII. The IASG Chairmanship rotates annually.

• As of 2007, the Chairmanship has has been held by the ILO, the World Bank, WIPO, UNDP, UNICEF, IFAD• and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD).

http://www.un.org/esa/socdev/unpfii/en/iasg.html

Indigenous and Tribal Peoples | www.ilo.org/indigenous | www.pro169.org

Work of the UNPFII

• To provide an opportunity for indigenous peoples to voice their concerns, demands and situation directly to the UN system

• To provide a meeting point for all participating indigenous peoples to share their knowledge and experiences. It also establishes a positive learning platform for indigenous peoples.

• To identify and advance the discussion on technical and substantial issues such as Millennium Development Goals, women and youth, climate change, land and natural resources, etc..

• To lend legitimacy to indigenous issues

• There is a challenge to ensure the recommendations of the UNPFII are translated into concrete action or implementation at the national level.