During the 17th session of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (EMRIP) at Room XXVI, Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Health Organization (WHO) will be hosting a side event focused on the health of Indigenous Peoples. In response to Resolution 76.16 adopted by the 76th World Health Assembly in May 2023, the WHO Director-General was tasked with developing a Global Plan of Action for the Health of Indigenous Peoples in consultation with various stakeholders including countries, Indigenous Peoples, UN agencies, civil society, academia, and others.
As part of this initiative, WHO has started working on a global literature review on the health of Indigenous Peoples. The aim of the side event is to present the initial findings of this review and allow Indigenous Peoples to provide input and contribute to the ongoing research. The analysis includes studying key health outcomes in which Indigenous Peoples face inequities, exploring the social determinants of health for Indigenous Peoples, and evaluating the availability, accessibility, acceptability, and quality of health services for Indigenous Peoples with a focus on cultural appropriateness.
Keynote speaker Valmaine Toki, a member of the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, will be joined by speakers Pauliina (Lina) Nykänen-Rettaroli, Rodrigo Paillalef, and Mariam Wallet Aboubakrine, who are all involved in the development of the situation analysis related to the health of Indigenous Peoples. The event will provide a platform for open discussion to further the research efforts.
Prior to the event, a light lunch will be served at 12:45 p.m., offering participants the opportunity to network and engage in informal discussions. The side event aims to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing to support the development of the Global Plan of Action for the Health of Indigenous Peoples.