UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)

About UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII):

• It was created in 2000 as an advisory body to the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) with a mandate to discuss indigenous issues related to economic and social development, culture, environment, education, health and human rights.
• According to its mandate, the Permanent Forum will:
  • Provide expert advice and recommendations to the Council, as well as to programmes, funds and agencies of the United Nations, through the Council.
  • Raise awareness and promote the integration and coordination of activities related to indigenous issues within the UN system.
  • Prepare and disseminate information on indigenous issues.
• It is one of three UN bodies that is mandated to deal specifically with Indigenous Peoples’ issues.
  • The others are the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
• Members:
  • It is comprised of sixteen independent experts, functioning in their personal capacity, who serve for a term of three years as members and may be re-elected or re-appointed for one additional term.
  • Eight of the members are nominated by governments and eight are nominated directly by indigenous organisations in their regions.
• It prepares a report of the session containing recommendations and draft decisions, which is submit­ted to the ECOSOC.