(12th meeting) UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, 25th session

Good afternoon. The 12th meeting of the 25th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues is called to order. I invite the Forum to begin its consideration of agenda item seven entitled provisional agenda of the 26th session and item eight entitled adoption of the report of the permanent forum on its 25th session. The draft procedural report of the 25th session has been issued as document E/C.19/2026/L.2. The draft decisions and recommendations of the forum are contained in documents E/C.19/2026/L.3 3 to L11. We shall first consider and take actions on the draft decisions and recommendations contained in documents E/C19/2026/L3 to L11, and then on the draft procedural report contained in document E/C.19/2026/L2. Since the Forum's negotiations on some of these recommendations continued until this morning, the document E slash C dot 19 slash 2026 slash L dot 11 is available as advanced unedited version in English only. The secretariat needs 96 hours to process and issue documents, which means that those draft recommendations can only be processed and issued in all languages after the conclusion of the current forum. May I take it that the forum agrees to proceed on the basis of the advanced edited version of the draft recommendations contained in document E/C.19/2026/L.11? It is so decided. All draft decisions and recommendations contained in documents L3 to L11 will be presented by a rapporteur and the Forum will then take a decision on each of them. I would like to remind that only the members of the Permanent Forum are part of the decision-making process. We will now consider the draft decisions one to three contained in document L3 entitled Draft Decisions Recommended by the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues for Adoption by the Economic and Social Council. And I invite our rapporteur, Ms. Jennifer Tauli-Corpus, to introduce them.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have now the honor to introduce document E slash C dot 19 slash 2026 slash L dot three on the three draft decisions as aforementioned. I hereby recommend document L three be adopted by the forum. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the rapporteur. May I take it that the forum wishes to adopt draft decision one entitled international expert group meeting on the theme enhanced participation of indigenous peoples draft decision two entitled venue and dates of the 26th session of the permanent forum on indigenous issues and draft decision three entitled report of the permanent forum on indigenous issues on its 26th session and provisional agenda for its 27th session as contained in Document L3.

It is so decided.

I now draw the attention of the forum to the recommendations contained in document L4 and invite the rapporteur to introduce them.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have now the honor to introduce document L4, which contains the recommendations on agenda item 5E entitled Interregional, Intergenerational and Global Dialogue. After the issuance of this document, the Forum members agreed on the following changes. First, a new paragraph that reads, "The Permanent Forum expresses its profound appreciation to Her Excellency Mary Simon Governor General of Canada for her presence and her address at the opening session. On paragraph one, the paragraph now reads, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues during its 24th session held an interregional, excuse me, during its 25th session, which is the session this year, held an interregional, intergenerational and global dialogue on the theme Indigenous Peoples and Climate Change, Articles 3, 4, 25 and 26 of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Turning now to paragraph seven, the paragraph now reads, The Permanent Forum takes note that the health, cultural and territorial impacts of climate change and extractive industries on indigenous peoples are severe and documented across all regions. Indigenous peoples in Central and South America and the Caribbean reported river contamination harming indigenous women and children, deterioration of indigenous medicine systems, and mineral extraction without consent. In Africa, indigenous peoples reported displacement and threats to food security. In the Arctic, Eastern Europe, the Russian Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia, Asia and the Pacific, they reported mineral extraction without consent and accelerated climate impacts causing displacement, loss of livelihoods, and the erosion of indigenous knowledge. And the paragraph continues as is. In paragraph eight, the paragraph would now read, the permanent forum takes note of practices shared by member states, including the first nation's clean energy strategy, 2024-2030 in Australia, the Indigenous Guardians Program in Canada, and structured dialogue with indigenous representatives and the Tropical Forest Forever Facility led by Brazil. Turning now to paragraph 10, the paragraph would now read, "The Permanent Forum welcomes the United Arab Emirates Just Transition Work Program, which recognizes that all just transition pathways should respect and promote the internationally recognized collective and individual rights of indigenous peoples, including rights to self-determination and free prior and informed consent, full stop. The forum calls upon state parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change by the end of 2027 to reflect it in binding national frameworks, operationalizing free, prior and informed consent in all just transition pathways, including transition minerals, renewable energy and biofuels, and to report on progress to the Forum at its 26th session. Turning now to paragraph 11, the paragraph would now read, The permanent forum recommend, commends Ecuador for its openness in engaging with the forum and takes note of its willingness to continue complying with the rulings of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights on human rights, full stop. The forum reiterates its recommendation to Ecuador to fully implement the rulings. Oh, sorry. Okay, thank you. I'll start that sentence again. That forum, the forum reiterates its recommendation to Ecuador to implement the rulings of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights of 2012 regarding the Kichwa people of Sarayacu and of 2025 regarding the Tagaeri and Taromenane peoples. And then the paragraph would continue unchanged. Lastly, paragraph, a new paragraph after paragraph 13, which would read as follows. The forum urges Amazonian states to fulfill their commitment in IUCN resolution 7.129 to protect and restore 80% of the Amazon's ecological integrity by 2030. These efforts must prioritize the formal recognition and legal tenure of 100 million hectares of indigenous peoples territories as a cornerstone of climate action. For delegations that would like to capture all of the changes, the Secretariat will be asked to issue advanced unedited versions in English only following the closing of this session. I hereby recommend document L4 for adoption to the Forum. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the rapporteur. May I take it that the Forum wishes to adopt document L4 containing the recommendations of the Permanent Forum on Agenda Item 5e, Interregional, Intergenerational and Global Dialogue, as orally revised?

It is so decided.

I now draw the attention of the forum to the recommendations contained in document L5 and invite the rapporteur to introduce them.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I now have the honor to introduce document L5, which contains the recommendations on agenda item three entitled discussion on the theme ensuring indigenous people's health including in the context of conflict madam chair after the issuance of this document the forum members agreed on changes in one paragraph only paragraph 23 would now read The permanent forum highlights the disproportionate impact of human rights violations on indigenous women and girls who face intersecting forms of discrimination. These include violence, forced sterilization, limited access to sexual and reproductive health services, and exclusion from decision making processes. The forum urges member states to implement general recommendation number 39 of 2022 of the committee on the elimination of discrimination against women on the rights of indigenous women and girls full stop I hereby recommend document L5 for adoption to the forum thank you madam chair

I thank the rapporteur. May I take it that the Forum wishes to adopt document L.5 containing recommendations of the Permanent Forum on Agenda Item 3, discussion on the theme, ensuring indigenous people's health, including in the context of conflict, as orally revised?

It is so decided.

I now invite the forum to consider the recommendations contained in document LC L six and invite the repertoire to introduce them.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have now the honor to introduce document L six, which contains the recommendations on agenda item five D entitled the Human Rights Dialogue with the special rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples and the expert mechanism on the rights of indigenous peoples semicolon annual review of progress on the implementation of general recommendation number 39 2020 2022 after the issuance of this document forum members agreed on the following changes first in paragraph one the paragraph now reads The dialogue between the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Chair of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples reaffirmed the complementarity of their distinct mandates. The Forum underscores the importance of maintaining these mechanisms as separate yet mutually reinforcing pillars within the United Nations system. Each plays a unique role. The special rapporteur in monitoring, reporting, and addressing alleged violations. The expert mechanism in providing thematic expertise and advice. And the forum as a high-level advisory body with a broad mandate covering economic and social development, culture, environment, education, health, and human rights issues. During the dialogue, concerns were raised regarding ongoing internal discussions that may affect the structure or functioning of these mandates. In paragraph three, the paragraph now reads, the Permanent Forum expresses its grave concern about the erosion and backsliding of existing protections of indigenous peoples' rights. which have resulted in increased reprisals, acts of intimidation and threats against and rates of incarceration of indigenous peoples for peacefully defending their lands, territories and resources, including indigenous leaders and indigenous human rights defenders. Now in paragraph four, it now reads, The forum emphasizes that indigenous women and girls suffer disproportionately from the physical and mental health impacts of extractive activities and environmental contamination and are systematically excluded from climate related decision making. In paragraph 16, There is a minor change, but I will read the paragraph and it now reads, the permanent forum reiterates its recommendation during its 24th session and calls on member states by 2027 to initiate and sustain structured dialogues with indigenous peoples on identity, equality, and non-discrimination. grounded in the minimum standards reflected in the United Nations working definition of indigenous peoples, International Labour Organization Convention number 169, and the principle of self-identification. The rest of the paragraph then continues as is. And lastly, Madam Chair, in document L6 is a new paragraph, Paragraph 18. And the paragraph reads, the forum urges member states and the UN refugee, sorry, the UNHCR to recognize and account for the unique vulnerabilities and well-founded fears of indigenous peoples, including indigenous leaders and indigenous human rights defenders. in their interpretation of the refugee definition in the 1951 Refugee Convention and refugee protection responses, as well as ensuring providing institutional and financial support for the indigenous peoples, including indigenous leaders and human rights defenders, whether forcibly displaced across borders or facing internal displacement and persecution. I hereby recommend document L six for adoption to the forum. Thank you Madam Chair.

I thank the rapporteur. May I take it that the forum wishes to adopt document L.6 containing recommendations of the forum on agenda item 5d entitled Human Rights Dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Annual Review of Progress on the Implementation of General Recommendation No. 39/2022 as orally revised? It is so decided. I now draw the attention of the Forum to the recommendations contained in document L-7 and invite the rapporteur to introduce them.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I now have the honour to introduce document L7 which contains recommendations on agenda item four discussion on the six mandated areas after the issuance of this document the forum members agreed on the following changes in paragraph 18 the paragraph now reads the permanent forum urges the food and agriculture organization of the United Nations and the Global Hub on Indigenous Peoples' Food and Knowledge Systems in coordination with the Forum, Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples to ensure Indigenous Peoples' participation in discussions on food and knowledge systems at the Committee on World Food Security during its 54th and 55th sessions. and to finalize amendments to the International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management to include indigenous peoples free, prior and informed consent, full stop. It further calls upon the Committee on Agriculture of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to adopt these amendments before the end of 2026. Turning now to paragraph 19, the paragraph now reads, the permanent forum calls upon the global environment facility to provide direct funding to indigenous peoples, including indigenous women, including indigenous women, semicolon, recognize indigenous led financing mechanisms as eligible recipients, semicolon, establish transparent monitoring of funds reaching indigenous peoples communities and simplify access criteria in line with free prior and informed consent full stop I hereby recommend document L7 for adoption to the forum thank you Madam chair

I thank the rapporteur. May I take it that the forum wishes to adopt document L7 containing recommendations of the forum agenda item four, discussion on the six mandated areas of the permanent forum, economic and social development, culture, environment, education, health and human rights. with reference to the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as orally revised, it is so decided. I now invite the Forum to turn its attention to recommendations contained in document L.8 and invite the rapporteur to introduce them.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have now the honour to introduce document L.8, which contains the recommendations on agenda item 5F entitled Dialogue on Indigenous platforms established within United Nations entities. After the issuance of this document, the forum members agreed on the following changes. First, in paragraph one, the paragraph now reads, the permanent forum on indigenous issues recognizes the importance of indigenous platforms established within the United Nations, within United Nations entities. These platforms contribute to realizing indigenous peoples' right to self-determination and their effective participation in processes that affect them. The proliferation of these platforms underscores the importance of the Forum's mandate to promote the integration and coordination of activities related to indigenous issues within the United Nations system. Secondly, in paragraph two, the paragraph would now read, the permanent forum welcomes the establishment of an indigenous peoples caucus, comma, which is separate from the caucus of local communities, comma, at the 16th session of the conference of the parties to the United Nations convention to combat desertification. in those countries experiencing serious drought and or desertification. And the rest of the paragraph continues as is. Thirdly, in paragraph three, it would now read the permanent forum urges UN entities and member states to provide direct funding for capacity building and educational programs enabling indigenous peoples to participate effectively across UN platforms and processes. Fourthly, in paragraph four, the paragraph now reads, the permanent forum welcomes the decision taken by the intergovernmental committee for the protection of the world cultural and natural heritage at its 47th session on the report of the open-ended working group established by the extend by the extended 45th session of the World Heritage Committee requesting the World Heritage Center to work with indigenous peoples to identify ways to enhance enhance their participation and to better reflect their heritage values and cultural perspectives when listing, managing and monitoring world heritage sites and outstanding universal values. The forum also expresses its interest in working with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization to implement this decision and to participate in future sessions of the committee. The next paragraph is paragraph eight. It now reads, the permanent forum also requests the United Nations that United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and UNCCD processes and the subsidiary body on Article 8 continue to formally invite the Forum to their meetings, maintain a standing agenda item on its recommendations and give those recommendations due consideration, particularly in processes that may affect indigenous peoples' rights. And that is the last paragraph under L8. I hereby recommend document L8 for adoption to the forum. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the rapporteur. May I take it that the Forum wishes to adopt document L.8 containing recommendations of the Forum on agenda item 5 entitled Dialogue on indigenous platforms established within United Nations entities as orally revised?

It is so decided.

I now draw the attention of the forum to recommendations contained in document L9 and invite the rapporteur to introduce them.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I now have the honor to introduce document L9, which contains the recommendations on agenda item 5C entitled Dialogue with United Nations agencies funds and programs. After the issuance of this document, the forum members agreed on the following changes. In paragraph two, it would now read as follows. The permanent forum on indigenous issues functions as a key convener across intergovernmental bodies and processes, including those addressing water, artificial intelligence, trade, human rights and other cross-cutting issues. The declaration is the foundational framework for implementation of indigenous peoples' rights. The forum welcomes additional frameworks such as the indigenous determinants of health, which provide a practical blueprint for this coordination, strengthening coherence and cooperation among United Nations entities and ensuring that indigenous peoples' rights are systematically reflected across the broader framework of international law. In paragraph four, the paragraph would now read, the permanent forum calls upon member states by 2028 to advance meaningful and sustained participation in the World Health Assembly and at the Conference of the Parties to the agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction. by establishing an indigenous advisory mechanism within each institution, mandated to engage regularly with indigenous peoples to advise and support the respective governing bodies of the World Health Organization and the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, and to report annually on their contributions to decision making processes. I hereby recommend document L9 for adoption to the forum. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the rapporteur. May I take it that the Forum wishes to adopt document L.9 containing recommendations of the Forum on agenda item 5 entitled Dialogue with the United Nations agencies, funds and programmes, as orally revised?

It is so decided.

I now draw the attention of the forum to the recommendations contained in document L10 and invite the rapporteur to introduce them.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have now the honour to introduce document L10, which contains the recommendations on agenda item 5G entitled Thematic Dialogue on the Financing of Indigenous Peoples' Work and participation across the multilateral and regional system. There are two paragraphs that have changed position in the text. Former paragraph 10 is now moved up to paragraph 4 and the subsequent paragraphs renumbered. Former paragraph 6 is now moved down to paragraph 10. Turning now to paragraph 14, the paragraph now reads as follows. The Permanent Forum urges the Council of the Global Environment Facility to approve the aspirational funding target of 20%. and to allocate 100 million to the Indigenous Conservation Initiative in the facility's ninth replenishment cycle, to include indigenous and traditional territories, open quotation, indigenous and traditional territories, closed quotation, in the results framework, and to ensure distinction-based disbursement and tracking that support indigenous peoples rights. There would then be a footnote inserted after, in quotations, indigenous and traditional territories referencing the source, which is the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 3, CBD/COP/15/L25. I hereby recommend document L10 for adoption to the forum. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the rapporteur. May I take it that the forum wishes to adopt document L10 containing recommendations of the forum on agenda item 5G entitled thematic dialogue on the financing of indigenous peoples work and participation across the multilateral and regional system as orally revised.

It is so decided.

I now draw the attention of the forum to the recommendations contained in document LP11 and invite the rapporteur to introduce them.

Thank you, Madam Chair. I have now the honour to introduce document L.11, which contains the recommendations on agenda item six entitled Future work of the Permanent Forum, including issues considered by the Economic and Social Council, the outcome document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples, and emerging issues. I hereby recommend L.11 for adoption to the Forum. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the rapporteur. May I take it that the Forum wishes to adopt document L.11 containing recommendations of the Forum on agenda item six entitled Future work of the Permanent Forum, including issues considered by the Economic and Social Council, the outcome document of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples and emerging issues.

It is so decided.

We have thus completed action on all substantive draft proposals. We will now turn to the draft procedural report as contained in L2. I give the floor to the rapporteur, Ms. Jennifer Tauli Corpus, to introduce document L2.

Thank you, Madam Chair. It is my pleasure to introduce the draft procedural report of the Permanent Forum at its 25th session as contained in document E/C.19/2026/L.2. Chapter one, matters calling for action by the Economic and Social Council or brought to its attention. Section A entitled draft decisions recommended for adoption by the council will include three decisions on the theme, the date and the provisional agenda for next year's session contained in document L3, which the forum has just adopted. Chapter one, section B, which will be entitled recommendations brought to the attention of the council. will include the recommendations just adopted by the Forum as contained in documents L4 to L11 as orally revised. Chapter 2 concerns the organization of the 25th session of the Forum including venue, dates and opening, all proceedings, the attendance and the documentation. The list of documents for this session will be issued after the session in document E/C.19/2026/INF/2. I wish to recommend that the Forum adopt this draft procedural report as contained in document L.2. Thank you, Madam Chair.

I thank the rapporteur. May I take it that the Forum wishes to adopt document L-2 entitled Draft Report with the understanding that the rapporteur will finalize it, including the draft decisions and recommendations as just adopted with the support of the Secretariat?

It is so decided.

May I take it that it is the wish of the forum to hence conclude its consideration of all agenda items before it at its current session?

It is so decided.

I would like to make closing remarks in my capacity as chair of the 25th session of the Permanent Forum. Distinguished members of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, distinguished observers from member states, indigenous peoples organizations, and the intergovernmental system, non-governmental organizations, the academia, and the media. Indigenous brothers and sisters, 25 years ago, the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues was established. We were welcomed into this house, not as stakeholders, but as peoples. Over the years, this forum has contributed to shape historic global milestones. It contributed to the path that led to the adoption of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It informed the 2014 World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. and it continues to strengthen Indigenous peoples' participation across the United Nations system. This forum has consistently elevated what the world too often ignored. It has brought visibility to the crisis of Indigenous peoples' languages, affirmed the rights and leadership of Indigenous women and girls, and ensure that Indigenous peoples' voices are not only present but heard in international decision-making. Many of the mechanisms that exist today within the United Nations system began as recommendations from this very forum. We opened this session with high level participation, including the Secretary General of the United Nations and many member states. I wish to thank and recognize her Excellency Mary Simon, Governor General of Canada, whose presence reminded us that indigenous leadership has helped shaped these spaces. But above all, I thank you, Indigenous delegates and representatives, for your presence, for your perseverance, for your unwavering commitment to the dignity and rights of our peoples. We have reason to feel proud because this forum is an expression of you. It listens to your demands, it carries your concerns, and it elevates your solutions. The forum is a unique global platform that brings together indigenous peoples from the seven socio-cultural regions, member states, and UN entities to advance collective understanding and promotes, upholds, and defends the rights of indigenous peoples. Now, More than ever, in the context of the UN liquidity crisis and the UN80 initiative, we must express our deep concerns about the negative impacts these system-wide constraints are having on the forum. These challenges are not the result of any single office. but rather reflect broader institutional decisions and resource limitations that are beyond the control of those directly supporting the Forum's work. We are witnessing a reduction in our formal session time, a shortening of our report, and significant limitations of formal interpretation services. Reductions in secretariat staffing, driven by higher level decisions, are also having a detrimental impact on our ability to carry out our mandate effectively. Last week, the forum was held in conference room three, which proved inadequate for the level of participation. Indigenous peoples were standing in the stairway without seating. For many, This created a sense of exclusion and raised concerns about the forum's future within this institution. These developments risk undermining the integrity, inclusivity, and effectiveness of this important platform, and we urge that they be addressed at the appropriate levels. I look around this room. I call upon those listening through the webcast. And I implore you to pay special attention to how the UNAD initiative and UN liquidity crisis are negatively impacting the important work of the forum. Join us with a steadfast commitment to protect this space. The special theme of this session, ensuring Indigenous peoples' health, including in the context of conflict, has guided our reflections. We have spoken clearly. There is no health without land. The well-being of Indigenous peoples is inseparable from our lands, waters, and territories. Yet, the health disparities we face are not accidental. They are the result of colonization, dispossession, extractive industries, environmental contamination, and the criminalization of our cultures and healing practices. They are the result of systems imposed without our consent, of children taken from their families, of governance structures dismantled, of treaties violated. To restore health, we must advance decolonization. To guarantee well-being, we must uphold self-determination. Member states have a responsibility to act. Policies must prevent these injustices. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples must guide all efforts everywhere without exception. During this session, we also held a high-level dialogue on indigenous peoples and climate change, grounded in the rights affirmed in the UN declaration. We heard clearly that Indigenous peoples are facing the most severe and often irreversible impacts of climate change, despite contributing the least to its causes. For us, climate change is not a distant threat. It is a present and lived human rights crisis. We also note the significance of the 2025 advisory opinions of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice. These affirm that Indigenous peoples are not among not only among the most affected, but are essential rights holders and knowledge holders in climate governance. I underscore A message that was echoed strongly throughout this session. There is an urgent need to protect indigenous leaders and indigenous human rights defenders. Their protection is not optional. It is an obligation. Too many continue to face threats, criminalization, and violence for defending their lands, their cultures and their peoples. I acknowledge the great courage and vision of Indigenous leaders and Indigenous human rights defenders. Over the past two weeks, powerful voices have risen from across the seven social cultural regions. And although conditions were not always adequate, I could see the flexibility and patience of Indigenous peoples, attributes we so often have to invoke. As I looked out at the room, I was so inspired to see well-known, long-time Indigenous leaders sharing the space with those who may have joined for the first time. I could hear the clarity and conviction in the statements delivered by Indigenous youth. As we look forward to 20 years of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, I am reminded that this forum is not only about legacy, but it is about our hope and our future. If you did not have the opportunity to speak during the formal sessions, I offer my sincere apologies. But know this, your presence mattered. Your participation in more than 60 side events, your dialogues with foreign members, states, and United Nations representatives, these have shaped this session in meaningful ways. These exchanges are essential. More than a century ago, our ancestors believed that multilateralism could offer a path towards justice. Today, it is our responsibility to make that belief real. As we close this 25th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, I extend my deepest gratitude to all of you. I would like to give a special thanks to the colleagues in the document management section who have managed to process and issue our L documents in short time. I would like to thank the interpreters, the sound engineers, conference officers, and others involved in working to make this session a success. I acknowledge and thank my my colleagues, independent experts from all seven social cultural regions who sit as the permanent forum members. I thank them for their tireless efforts in ensuring the successful conclusion of this session. And as many of you know, this year, 11 out of 16 are new members. So I give you a heartfelt congratulations. We have completed your first session. I would like, on behalf of the members of the Forum, to express our gratitude to our colleagues from the Secretariat. In this connection, I wish to thank our colleagues in the Indigenous Peoples and Development Branch of the Division for Inclusive Social Development of DESA for their invaluable support in preparation of and throughout the session. You are few in number, but such a mighty team that work with your full heart to support our forum. Thank you so very much. I also thank the General Assembly and Indigenous Affairs Division in the Department for General Assembly and Conference Management for their support. To Indigenous peoples, to Member States, To our partners across the United Nations system and beyond, thank you very much. May you travel home safely, carrying not only the experience of these past two weeks, the strength of our shared purpose, and the recommitment to protect our space as a forum. May your paths be guided by wisdom, renewed commitment, and the enduring spirit of your peoples. Thank you. Now, what we've all been waiting for, I declare closed the 25th session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.