A Side Event to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (#UNPFII)

The global push for clean energy is accelerating. But beneath the progress lies a harder question:
who is shaping the transition—and who is still being left out of it?

As global momentum around clean energy continues to build, conversations at the international level are increasingly turning toward a critical gap—one that goes beyond technology and targets something more structural: who has access, who makes decisions, and who benefits.

Across different regions, Indigenous Peoples are already leading renewable energy initiatives rooted in their knowledge systems, governance structures, and community priorities. These are not pilot ideas—they are functioning solutions. Yet, despite their demonstrated impact, many of these initiatives remain constrained by limited access to direct and flexible financing, as well as partnership models that do not always align with Indigenous self-determination.

It is within this context that the Right Energy Partnership with Indigenous Peoples (REP), together with TONIBUNG, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Green Empowerment, and Thousand Currents, will convene a virtual side event during #UNPFII.

Taking place on April 24 at 8:00 AM (New York time), the virtual session will bring together Indigenous leaders, practitioners, and development partners to reflect on what is working, what continues to fall short, and what needs to change—particularly when it comes to direct partnerships and financing pathways.

The discussion will move beyond general commitments, focusing instead on lived experiences and practical insights. From community-led energy systems to broader questions of energy sovereignty, the session will highlight how Indigenous-led approaches are already contributing to more sustainable and inclusive energy futures—while also unpacking the barriers that prevent these efforts from expanding.

Participants will also engage with a central tension shaping the current energy transition: while large-scale renewable energy investments are accelerating globally, Indigenous Peoples continue to encounter obstacles in accessing resources on their own terms. In many cases, projects move forward without fully respecting Indigenous governance systems or the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent.

By creating space for exchange between Indigenous leaders and partner organizations, the event aims to surface not only challenges, but also pathways forward—including how financing systems can become more accessible, how partnerships can be redefined, and how global processes can better align with community realities.

Interpretation will be available in Spanish and French to support broader participation.

🔗 Registration is now open: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/96yyTOuhTvaI6rw015vBYw