GENEVA (18 November 2022) – From 21 to 24 November, Indigenous Peoples from more than 30 countries, from the Arctic to the Pacific, will gather in Geneva to explore ways of enhancing the participation of Indigenous Peoples in the work of the Human Rights Council.

The four-day workshop, mandated by the Human Rights Council in October 2021, provides a unique opportunity to hear first-hand from indigenous community leaders, United Nations’ senior officials, government representatives and human rights experts who will make recommendations to maximise the invaluable role of Indigenous Peoples in the work of the United Nations’ premier human rights body.

The expert workshop will take place in room 26 at the Palais des Nations in Geneva and is open to accredited media. Media interested in attending without UNOG accreditation can register to attend here.

The expert workshop will open at 10 a.m. on Monday, 21 November with a traditional indigenous ceremony. Another ceremony will be held upon the close of the workshop on Thursday, 24 November, at approximately 5.30 p.m.

Opening statements will be delivered by Ambassador Federico Villegas (Argentina), President of the Human Rights Council, and Peggy Hicks, Director, Thematic Engagement, Special Procedures and Rights to Development Division, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. Additional details about the agenda and the full list of speakers are available on the workshop webpage.