EU Statement on Indigenous Peoples' Rights at 25th Permanent Forum Session

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EU Statement -- 25th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Agenda Item 4: Discussion on the six mandated areas of the Permanent Forum

24.04.2026 New York Press and information team of the Delegation to the UN in New York 24 April 2026, New York -- Statement on behalf of the European Union and its Member States delivered by Mr. Michael Swann, First Counsellor, at the 25th Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Agenda Item 4: Discussion on the six mandated areas of the Permanent Forum (Economic and Social Development, Culture, Environment, Education, Health, and Human Rights)

Chair,

I have the honor to speak on behalf of the European Union and its Member States.

The Candidate Countries North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, the Republic of Moldova, and Bosnia and Herzegovina* align themselves with this statement.

The EU and its Member States are steadfast supporters of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which informs our approach to Indigenous Issues, covering the six mandated areas of the Permanent Forum.

We welcome the responses to the questionnaire circulated to UN agencies, funds, and programmes, which highlight progress in implementing the Permanent Forum’s recommendations, the 2016 UN System-Wide Action Plan, and the 2030 Agenda.

We acknowledge the wide range of initiatives outlined in the secretariat’s note, which demonstrate concerted efforts across the UN system to address the multifaceted challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples.

Close cooperation, including with the Special Rapporteur on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, remains crucial to ensure coherent and consistent approaches, including on the full, effective and meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples’ representatives and institutions in all relevant United Nations meetings on issues affecting them.

We take note of the OHCHR’s response, which underscores that UN human rights mechanisms repeatedly affirmed States obligations concerning Indigenous Peoples’ health. The EU and its Member States welcome that the Permanent Forum dedicated this year’s theme to “Indigenous Peoples’ health, including in the context of conflict”. Structural barriers to Indigenous Peoples’ access to health-services, medicines, vaccines and essential health products must be urgently addressed, particularly for all Indigenous women and children, who are often disproportionately affected.

The EU will continue its support for Indigenous Peoples, including through the Indigenous Navigator - a global initiative created by and for Indigenous Peoples to monitor the implementation of their rights in 26 countries. We also extended our support for Docip, the Indigenous Peoples’ Centre for Documentation, Research and Information. Docip empowers persons belonging to Indigenous communities, including all women and youth, to defend their rights, access international human rights bodies, and take part directly in global decision-making processes. So far, more than 5000 Indigenous delegates from all regions were supported by the project.

Chair, the EU and its Member States reaffirm their commitment to the mandate of the Permanent Forum which remains a crucial tool for enhancing Indigenous Peoples rights as set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and international human rights law.

I thank you, Chair.

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North Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina continue to be part of the Stabilisation and Association Process.