Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)?
The UNPFII is one of three UN mechanisms specifically addressing Indigenous Peoples' issues, focusing on economic and social development, culture, education, environment, health, and human rights.
2. What is the theme of the UNPFII 2024 Session?
The theme is "Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ right to self-determination in the context of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: emphasizing the voices of Indigenous youth."
3. When and where will the UNPFII 2024 Session take place?
The session will be held at the United Nations Headquarters in New York from 15 to 26 April 2024 at Conference Room 4.
4. Where is the opening ceremony?
The opening of the twenty-third session of the Permanent Forum will take place at the General Assembly Hall on 15 April 2024 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can access the GA Hall from 10 a.m. using the ceremonial stairs or the elevator.
5. Who can participate in the UNPFII 2024 Session?
Member States, UN and intergovernmental organizations, Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations (IPOs), accredited academics, and NGOs in consultative status to ECOSOC can participate. This year, given the focus on Indigenous youth voices, those below 18 years of age can apply to participate, following the steps on the website.
6. How can I register for the UNPFII 2024 Session?
Registration is open in two stages. The first stage is for organizations participating for the first time and not accredited in the iCSO system from January 22 to 12 February 2024. The second stage will open from 19 February until 18 March 2024, for previous participating organizations, and organizations from the first stage who have been approved. Late registrations cannot be accepted. Visit our website for detailed instructions.
7. Who will approve your registration?
To proceed to the second stage of registration, individual participants from approved organizations will be checked by your organization’s designated focal point in the INDICO system. After being approved, a confirmation letter will be generated automatically.
8. Who are the focal points?
Each organization must designate a focal point on iCSO.
9. What are the collection procedures for UN grounds passes?
Those pre-registered and approved can collect their passes during specified times that will be announced. Please bring confirmation letters and valid forms of identification (passport/ID).
10. Are there fees for participating in UNPFII sessions?
The United Nations does not charge fees for participation. Participants are responsible for their expenses.
11. How can participants with disabilities get assistance?
Please contact the UN Accessibility Centre, accessibilitycentre@un.org, and the Secretariat through the email address cianciulli@un.org.
12. What is the Programme of Work for the UNPFII 2024 Session?
The Programme of Work details how each meeting will be organized. For the full programme please visit the website.
13. How can participants speak at the Forum?
To speak at the Forum, participants can engage through two opportunities outlined in the Programme of Work: "Lists of Speakers" (for pre-registered observers) and "Interactive Dialogues" (open to everyone).
Lists of Speakers: Available to registered observers, all participants except Academia can register to speak on agenda items 3, 4, 5 (d), 5 (g), and 6. The speakers will rotate among Member States, accredited Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations, and UN agencies. Each speaker can speak once per agenda item, limited to 3 minutes. Venue to be confirmed.
Interactive Dialogues: For agenda items 5(a), 5(b), 5(c), 5(d), 5(e), and 5(f), there is no pre-established speaker list. Observers can request the floor at the beginning of each session by raising their hand and pressing the microphone button. Interventions could be limited to three minutes, or shorter.
14. How are seating arrangements organized during sessions?
The first two rows are reserved for Forum Members. Indigenous Peoples Organizations, Indigenous Parliamentarians, UN entities and UN Member States please sit under your nameplate.
During the opening meeting on the morning of 15 April, seating will also be available for Indigenous Peoples Organizations at the Hall of the General Assembly on a first-come first-served basis. Please be seated under the nameplate “Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations”.
15. Are there side events during the UNPFII 2024 Session?
Yes, side events organized by registered organizations will take place. Some side events will take place within the Conference building, while others will be held at external venues. Please refer to the list of side events published on our website for more information. Registration for side events runs from 19 February to 29 February.
In addition, other events are taking place at the Church Center of the United Nations, located at 777 United Nations Plaza (corner of East 44th Street and 1st Avenue). The Global Indigenous Women's Gathering is scheduled for 12 April; The Global Indigenous Peoples Caucus meeting for 13 and 14 April; and the Indigenous Craft Fair is anticipated to take place 17 April. Please check our website for event timings.
16. How can the media attend the session?
Accredited media can attend. Journalists without UN credentials must apply online. Some sessions will be broadcast online, and there will be an Indigenous Media Zone.
17. What is the Indigenous Media Zone?
The “Indigenous Media Zone” (IMZ), organized in coordination with the Department of Global Communication and Cultural Survival, aims to provide a space for Indigenous and mainstream media channels and platforms to cover the 23rd Session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Non-Indigenous media are welcome to join.
Located in the UN Correspondents Association Room (3rd floor, Secretariat building, S-310) from Monday to Thursday, 15-18 April, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. To access the UNCA room, please take the escalator from the 1B level.
To register in the IMZ and request a time slot for an interview, please sign up from 11 March to 1 April (LINK TBC).
18. Is there an event to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples?
On 17 April, from 3 pm to 6 pm, on the margins of the Permanent Forum, the President of the General Assembly will convene a high-level event to commemorate the tenth anniversary of the adoption of the outcome document of the high-level plenary meeting of the General Assembly known as the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. Registered organizations can attend. More details can be found (LINK TBC).
19. What do I need to do if I am delivering a statement?
Participants who will deliver statements at the plenary meetings are requested to send a copy (in both PDF and Microsoft Word formats) to estatements@un.org no later than two hours in advance of the delivery of the statement. The name of the meeting and the speaker, as well as the agenda item, should be clearly indicated in the subject line of the email and in the heading of the statement.
20. Does the UN assist with travel to New York?
Travel arrangements, including visa procedures, are the responsibility of participating organizations. The United Nations will send a confirmation letter to pre-registered representatives to the email address registered in the INDICO system, which can be used for visa requests.
21. Where can I find all relevant documents and information?
All official UN documents, including the agenda and program, are available on our website in all UN languages.