Photo by Hindou OUMAROU IBRAHIM  

The Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems Coalition, formed in 2021 as an outcome of the UN Food Systems Summit, is an Indigenous Peoples-led collaborative initiative that brings together  Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, UN Member States, UN agencies, civil society organizations and other key stakeholders to build healthy, equitable, and sustainable food systems that respect and incorporate Indigenous Peoples' knowledge and practices. The coalition provides opportunities for members to work together to influence policy and promote action on the ground with the potential to transform global food systems.

Objectives and principles:

•  Advance Indigenous Peoples' food sovereignty.

•  Strengthen and promote respect for Indigenous Peoples' food systems worldwide.

•  Scale up traditional knowledge to transform global food systems.

The coalition operates on the principles of Indigenous-led decision-making, respecting consultation as a fundamental right, and ensuring inclusive processes.

Key achievements (2021-2025):

•  Inclusion of Indigenous Peoples' Food Systems in the Multi-Year Programme of Work of the Committee on Food Systems.

•  Prominent Role and Official Role in the 2023 and 2025 UN Food Systems Summit+2 Stocktaking.

•  Representation in the Stakeholder Engagement and Network Advisory Group (SENA) of the UN Food Systems Coordination Hub.

Governance structure:

• Steering Committee: Indigenous Peoples' representatives from seven sociocultural regions and seven member states (rotational).

• Chair: Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.

• Rotational secretariat: World Food Programme currently holds the role since mid 2024. FAO, the Food and Agriculture Organization held the role from (2021-2024).

Focus areas for 2025:

• Promote integration of Indigenous Peoples' food and knowledge systems in home-grown school meals programmes.

• Enhance Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge and traditional food to strengthen resilience and climate adaptation capacities.

Leading entities:

World Food Programme (WFP), and United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).

UN Agencies Funds and Programmes and Intergovernmental bodies include:

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Member countries:

Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Finland, Guatemala, Ireland, Lesotho, Mexico, New Zealand, Norway, Panama, and Spain.

Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations include:

Arramat, Asian Indigenous International Network, Ilukim Sustainability Solomon Islands, Indigenous Determinants of Health Alliance, International Indian Treaty Council, Kinnapa Development Program, Land is Life, Russian Indigenous Women Forum, and The Indigenous Peoples’ Partnership on Agrobiodiversity and Food Sovereignty.

Other members include:

Alliance Bioversity - CIAT, Sami Parliament, Universidad Intercultural Maya Quintana Roo, Mexico, EAT Forum, and Rockefeller Foundation.