Por Kimberly Happich Moloche, Representante Principal de la ONG JPIBP, Nueva York

 For two weeks from April 20, 2026, the halls of the United Nations in New York carried voices from across the world: voices rooted in land, culture, memory, and resistance.

At the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues 2026, indigenous leaders, advocates, and communities gathered under the theme “Ensuring Indigenous Peoples’ health, including in the context of conflict.” Yet as we listened and engaged, it became clear that this was not only a conversation about health. It was a deeper reflection on land, dignity, and people.

As Justicia y Paz Internacional del Buen Pastor, our presence at the Forum was grounded first in listening. Across sessions, from the Global Indigenous Women’s Caucus to dialogues on mining and climate, voices echoed shared realities. Whether from Ecuador, Kenya, Bolivia, the Philippines, or the United States, Indigenous communities described experiences that, while rooted in different contexts, reflected strikingly similar patterns: land that is no longer safe and decision-making processes that exclude those most affected. Yet, alongside these realities, there was also a powerful sense of connection. Across regions, there was recognition of shared struggle, as well as shared resistance, communities standing in solidarity, protecting culture, and advocating for their rights.

One of the most profound insights from the Forum is one we recognize deeply within our own work as Good Shepherd: the health of people and the health of the planet cannot be separated. Stories shared throughout the sessions made this clear: rivers contaminated by oil contributing to child malnutrition; food systems disrupted by environmental destruction; and traditional medicines becoming inaccessible. These are not isolated environmental challenges, they are lived realities that reveal how ecological harm directly impacts human dignity and well-being.

Again and again, Indigenous women stood at the center of these conversations. They are leaders, caregivers, knowledge holders, and defenders of land. They carry forward traditions that sustain communities. At the same time, they face growing risks. Participants spoke of increasing violence against Indigenous women, of those who are threatened, disappeared, or killed for protecting their territories and communities. Their experiences reflect the urgent need to recognize both their leadership and the structural injustices they confront.

Throughout the Forum, there was also a clear and consistent call for accountability. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, soon marking its twentieth anniversary, remains unevenly implemented. Commitments such as Free, Prior and Informed Consent are widely recognized, yet too often not upheld in practice. Communities continue to face decisions being made without their participation, and resources frequently fail to reach those most directly affected. The call from Indigenous leaders was not for new promises, but for the fulfillment of those already made.

One of the more challenging reflections that emerged centered on the global push toward a “green transition.” While climate action is urgent, many Indigenous leaders raised concerns about how this transition is being carried out. The extraction of minerals needed for renewable energy is expanding rapidly, often on Indigenous lands. These activities bring environmental destruction, water scarcity, and long-term health consequences. What is presented globally as progress can, at the local level, feel like a continuation of extractive systems that have long caused harm. Yet, amid these challenges, there was a strong sense of hope, one grounded not in abstraction but in lived knowledge. Indigenous communities hold generations of wisdom about caring for the Earth, sustaining ecosystems, and building resilience. This knowledge is not theoretical; it is practiced, lived, and passed down. Indigenous girls and women, in particular, play a central role in carrying this forward, offering leadership that is both rooted in tradition and responsive to present realities.

Our time at the Forum was a reminder that advocacy begins with accompaniment. It requires listening deeply, recognizing the interconnectedness of issues, and ensuring that global conversations are shaped by those most affected. The voices shared at UNPFII call us to continue advancing our Good Shepherd mission, upholding dignity, advocating for justice, and promoting systems that respect both people and the planet.

Ultimately, the experience leaves us with a simple but urgent truth: the solutions are already present in the communities most impacted. The question is whether the world is ready to listen and to act accordingly.