The Expert Seminar will provide a high-level platform for North American experts to present and discuss the critical importance and contributions of North American Indigenous Peoples’ food systems in relation to the primary objectives of the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit. The UN Food Systems Summit is intended to launch bold new actions, solutions and strategies to accelerate progress on all 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), each of which relies on healthier, more sustainable and equitable food systems. The input, leadership and expertise of North American Indigenous Peoples are essential in fulfilling the vision of the Summit.

The Expert Seminar is co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Liaison Office for North America and Indigenous Peoples Unit and, the Chair of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). With the support of the Global-Hub on Indigenous Food Systems, the Group of Friends of Indigenous Peoples in Rome  and the UN Food Systems Summit leadership.

Technical presentations from experts will serve to inform the working groups who will formulate a statement based upon the Indigenous expertise and input about the five Action Tracks of the Summit. The final statement resulting from the High-Level Expert Seminar will be made public and delivered to the Special Envoy for the UN Food Systems Summit. This Seminar will be part of the preparatory global processes leading up to the 2021 UN Food Systems Summit.