The Implementation Project will be hosting two side events during the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues’ Annual Session. For those following from home, select sessions and side events can be viewed via UN Web TV.
Self-Determination in Times of Peace and Conflict: Internal Relations and Indigenous Diplomacies – Monday, April 20, 2026
Across times of peace and conflict, self-determination remains critical to the survival and well-being of Indigenous Peoples. The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Albert K. Barume has, in the first year of his mandate, focused on aspects of Indigenous Peoples’ self-determination in contexts including land rights, identity and recognition, reproductive freedoms, gender rights, health, and development. This side event brings the Special Rapporteur together with current elected and appointed leaders of Indigenous Peoples, and State counterparts, to discuss both internal matters and diplomatic relations toward political, cultural, linguistic, and economic self-determination today.
Indigenous Health in Unexpected Places
Plant Medicine, Economic Wellbeing, and Biodiversity Across International Agencies and Bodies: WEF, WIPO, CBD, UNESCO & WHO – Thursday, April 23, 2026
Indigenous Peoples have become deeply engaged in advocacy regarding Indigenous Determinants of Health, especially at the World Health Organization. At the same time, health issues are arising in other agencies and bodies including the World Economic Forum, World Intellectual Property Organization, and Convention on Biological Diversity. Unfortunately, these efforts are not always coordinated, leaving Indigenous Peoples under-resourced as they confront multiple systems and substantive areas of expertise. This event will bring together Indigenous leaders, cultural practitioners, UN experts, and others to share information regarding cross cutting issues such as plant medicine, economic wellbeing, and biodiversity, to promote enhanced cooperation in health-related diplomacy throughout UN agencies and other international bodies.
The Implementation Project is available to help answer questions and provide guidance, please feel free to reach out to declaration@narf.org.