Delegates attend the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in ‘New York City’ in April 2025. Photo by Tailyr Irvine/Grist

This story was originally appeared in ICT here, and is published through the Indigenous News Alliance with minor style edits.

Indigenous people from all over the world will gather at the United Nations Headquarters in “New York City” for the 25th Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in two weeks.

However, the money woes at the United Nations will impact the forum, and possibly who can afford to attend.

It has also impacted the timeline for a global plan of action on Indigenous health that was supposed to be created this year by the World Health Organization (WHO), which the “United States” is no longer a part of.

The United Nations cannot start to address Indigenous peoples health until a global plan of action is created.

The plan is seen as critical to co-ordinating resources, Indigenous communities and nations, countries, nongovernmental organizations, academia and civil society.

The theme for this year’s event is titled “Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ health, including in the context of conflict,” and will take place from April 20 to May 1.

The forum provides a platform for Indigenous people, communities and nations to amplify the issues they are facing.

READ MORE: Mining reps at the UN promise Indigenous consultation — but things look different on the ground

The Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is led by a board of mission experts.

It includes 16 people who are ultimately appointed by the president of the UN Economic and Social Council — eight are nominated by Indigenous peoples organizations who represent the seven socio-cultural regions and eight are nominated by countries.

Geoffrey Roth, Standing Rock Sioux, served as an expert for two terms, ending last year.

“We focus on all kinds of different issues that are part of the mandate, including health, the environment, biodiversity, violence prevention and others,” Roth said.

“It’s a space for Indigenous people to have input in global policy issues all together.”

A delegation from Tŝilhqot’in Nation presents on the health impacts of the toxic drug supply at the UN on April 24, 2025. Screenshot via UN video

Growing troubles at Indigenous forum

In 2000, the United Nations Economic and Social Council passed a resolution that mandated the Permanent Forum to “discuss Indigenous issues within the mandate of the Council relating to economic and social development, culture, the environment, education, health and human rights.”

Last year, the attendance at the Permanent Forum was smaller than usual. People were afraid to travel to the “U.S.,” on top of that, travel visas were being delayed.

This year the “U.S.” has refused to pay its membership fees to the United Nations, which accounts for 22 percent of the UN’s regular budget.

The United Nations relies on mandatory assessed contributions, essentially membership fees, from the “U.S.” and China to operate. Collectively, the two countries provide 42 percent of the UN’s regular budget and nearly 50 percent of the peacekeeping budget.

The “U.S.” refusal to pay the United Nations has dramatically impacted the international organization.

It’s also impacted the funding that helps Indigenous people travel to the United Nations.

READ MORE: ‘A matter of justice’: 2025 UN Forum on Indigenous Issues begins with visa challenges

“I’m hearing that some of the countries that have traditionally donated money to that are not doing it in a timely manner,” Roth said.

“That directly affects the ability of Indigenous people to be in meetings, and to meaningfully participate in policy making decisions.”

The number of meeting times has also been adjusted this year.

“Because of austerity issues and other money concerns right now, they have cut down the number of meeting times that they’re going to be able to do,” Roth said.

After every permanent forum, a report is created by the United Nations. This year that report will be impacted by funding issues.

“They’ve cut down the size of the reports that can be produced,” Roth said.

Global health efforts threatened by ‘US’ moves

The “U.S.” leaving the World Health Organization, as well as cutting foreign aid has impacted global health policy, said Roth.

“The disengagement of the Trump administration from the WHO is having significant impact globally on health policy,” Roth said.

“The WHO is in the middle of having to lay off a lot of staff. We’re seeing changes in priorities.”

He added that a resolution the World Health Assembly passed three years ago, which required the WHO to present a global plan of action for Indigenous health, is also getting “delayed because of staffing concerns and other issues.”

A finalized global plan of action will be delayed by a year.

“We’re not going to see it this year,” Roth said.

“Hopefully we’ll see it next year, assuming that resources are found to support that.”

As part of the global plan of action process, in-person consultations were supposed to be held in the seven socio-cultural regions around the world.

READ MORE: At the UN, Tŝilhqot’in outlines a plan to deal with the toxic drug crisis

In March, virtual consultations were held with Indigenous peoples, according to the UN website.

But virtual meetings impact who can participate. Those without access to electricity, internet, computers, smartphones or cell service, would have a challenging time participating.

“It makes me very concerned because, working with government entities — especially ones that don’t have a lot of experience with Indigenous peoples — I see them take a lot of liberty in what they believe is going to be right for Indigenous peoples, when they when they don’t hear from us in a meaningful way,” he said.

Regardless, there is still important work to be done, said Roth.

“Frankly, I think we [Indigenous people] can provide some solutions that don’t currently exist within the UN policy making framework,” Roth said.

“I’m hopeful that we’re going to continue to have good policy conversations about how to move forward.”

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