Tanzania has been granted one seat in the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
The Tanzanian slot is one of the two seats issued to representatives from the Africa Continent.
The second African seat on the permanent forum has been awarded to Morocco.
Hailing from Arusha, Edward Porokwa, the Executive Director of the Pastoralists Indigenous Non-Governmental Organizations (PINGO’s) Forum, has been officially appointed to the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII).
Porokwa will be representing Tanzania and Africa at the UN for a three-year term starting in January 2026.
The nominee is being described as a tireless advocate with over two decades of experience in advancing the rights of Indigenous Peoples and has been at the forefront of championing land rights, cultural preservation, and policy reforms that center Indigenous knowledge and leadership.
“Africa has been given special consideration by being granted two seats, out of the eight, in the United Nations (UN) permanent Forum while other regions have one seat each,” said Porokwa.
Speaking in his office, Porokwa explained that, when it comes to indigenous people, all they want is recognition of their rights and respect for their ancestral land and traditions.
The appointment of eight members of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, was done in accordance with the United Nations’ resolution of Establishment of a Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
This resolution entrusts the President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Bhree Bob Rae, to appoint eight experts nominated by Indigenous Peoples Organizations to the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues.
Having completed the requisite consultations and considering the backgrounds, experience and expertise of the candidates, the President appointed eight experts to the Permanent Forum for a three-year term beginning 01 January 2026.
Two seats were granted for the African Continent with the first one being filled by Tanzania through Mr. Edward Porokwa and the second one given to Ms. Amina Amharech from Morocco.
Representing the Arctic region Ms. Aluki Kotierk from Canada was nominated.
For Asia, one seat went to Ms. Jennifer Tauli Corpuz of Philippines.
Representing Central and South America and the Caribbean is Patricia Gualinga Montalvo from Ecuador.
For Eastern Europe, Russian Federation, Central Asia and Transcaucasia the one seat went to Ms. Valentina Sovkina from the Russian Federation.
North America got one seat through Ms. Lea Nicholas-Mackenzie from Canada.
As for the Pacific region, Ms. Emma Rawson-Te Patu from New Zealand, was nominated.
All the candidates were nominated in accordance with the established practice.
These eight permanent members will be officially inducted at the next formal meeting of the Council.
The United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, also known as Permanent Forum, is an expert body of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
It has the a mandate to provide advice on Indigenous issues to ECOSOC and, through it, to the UN agencies, funds and program; to raise awareness on Indigenous Peoples’ issues; promote the integraÂtion and coordination of activities relating to Indigenous Peoples’ issues within the UN system; and promote respect for and full application of the provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and follow up on its effectiveness.