Indigenous health to take centre stage as APA participates in UN Forum

President of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), Lemmel Thomas, will lead a team to the 25th Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in New York which is set for April 20 to May 1, 2026. Thomas will be accompanied by Policy & Advocacy Coordinator, Nicholas Peters; Policy Officer, Felecia Valenzuela and Communications Coordinator, Lakhram Bhagirat. Together, the team will seek to collaborate with APA partners to amplify the voices of Guyana’s Indigenous Peoples at the international forum, bringing a fuller perspective of the experiences of our peoples.

The UNPFII is a high-level advisory body to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC). Established in 2000, it addresses Indigenous Peoples’ issues related to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health, and human rights. The Forum provides expert advice and recommendations to ECOSOC and UN agencies, promotes awareness of Indigenous issues, and works to ensure the full implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), which Guyana has adopted. The theme for this session is: “Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ health, including in the context of conflict”. This year’s theme highlights growing concerns over the disproportionate impact of war, displacement, resource extraction and inequality on Indigenous populations.
The two-week forum serves as the UN’s primary platform for dialogue on Indigenous issues, covering key areas such as human rights, health, education, culture and environmental sustainability. Health will take centre stage at the 2026 session, with discussions focusing on unequal access to healthcare, mental health challenges, and the preservation of traditional healing practices. Beyond health, the forum will address interconnected issues such as climate change, environmental degradation and economic inequality. Many Indigenous leaders are expected to emphasise the link between environmental protection and community well-being, as ecosystems play a vital role in sustaining traditional lifestyles and health systems. The APA will bring the Guyanese context, based on the Association’s engagement with communities, to the conversation through interventions on the thematic areas. The session will also provide a platform for reviewing progress on the implementation of international frameworks, including the rights of Indigenous Peoples and the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through dialogue with UN agencies and member states, the forum seeks to influence policies that promote equity, inclusion and self-determination.
As global challenges continue to evolve, the 25th session of the UNPFII is seen as a critical moment to amplify Indigenous voices and push for meaningful action. Observers say the outcomes of the forum could shape international approaches to health, human rights and development for years to come.