🌍 The Unified Voice of Over 300 Million Indigenous Peoples Worldwide

The United Ancient Indigenous Enlightened Nations - General Assembly (UAN-GA) bridges ancient wisdom and modern governance to foster a harmonious, sovereign, and sustainable global Indigenous community. Established in 2003 under the Charter of the United Ancient Indigenous Enlightened Nations.

Comprised of 160+ Member and Observer Indigenous Nations, serving as the chief deliberative, policymaking, and representative organ of the UAN.

Key Focus Areas

  • Indigenous rights and sovereignty
  • Traditional ecological knowledge
  • Cultural preservation and heritage
  • Sustainable development practices
  • Peaceful consensus building
General Assembly Hall

Functions and Powers of the General Assembly

The Assembly operates through traditional Indigenous governance principles while engaging with modern international frameworks.

  • Decisions on important questions—such as those on peace and security, admission of new member nations, and budgetary matters—require a two-thirds majority
  • Decisions on other questions are passed by simple majority
  • Emphasizes consensus-building circles over formal voting
  • The Assembly adopts its own rules of procedure and elects a Chief Speaker and 21 Elder Advisors for each session

Core Functions and Powers

Legislative & Advisory Role

Makes recommendations on international Indigenous issues and acts across all governance pillars: political, economic, humanitarian, social, cultural, and spiritual.

Powers Under the Charter Include:

  • Approving UAN budget and financial assessments
  • Electing members to the Elder Council and other organs
  • Recommending the appointment of the Secretary-General
  • Recommending principles for peace, security, and cultural protection
  • Discussing and advising on any matters within the Charter

Indigenous Forum

Engages over 300 million Indigenous peoples from 5,000+ communities globally, promoting sustainable development rooted in traditional ecological knowledge.

Assembly Activities:

  • Annual UAN Summit with ceremonial and council sessions
  • Year-round traditional governance meetings
  • Initiating studies to promote political cooperation
  • Development and codification of Indigenous international law
  • Realization of Indigenous rights and fundamental freedoms

Decision-Making Process & Structure

Voting Structure

Each of the 160+ Indigenous Nations has one vote. The Assembly emphasizes consensus-building circles over formal voting, following traditional Indigenous governance practices.

Voting Requirements:

  • Two-thirds majority required for major decisions
  • Simple majority for other questions
  • Consensus-building preferred approach
  • Cultural protocols integrated into decision-making

Credentials & Protocols

The Credentials Committee is appointed each session to verify credentials and cultural protocol compliance of Indigenous representatives.

Official Protocols:

  • Blends international diplomacy with traditional Indigenous governance
  • Ensures cultural authenticity and dignity
  • Emphasizes sovereignty and ancestral knowledge
  • Indigenous Delegates Handbook issued annually

Main Councils of the General Assembly

The Assembly's six councils each handle agenda items aligned with their specialized areas:

Council for Indigenous Trade & Economic Cooperation

Council for Cultural Preservation & AI Digital Heritage

Council for Holistic Health & Sustainable Development

Council for Indigenous Diplomacy & Global Collaboration

Council for Ancestral Wisdom & Spiritual Practices

Council for Environmental Stewardship & Sacred Lands

Some critical issues, such as land rights and cultural sovereignty, are handled directly in the plenary sessions.

Regional Structure & Subsidiary Organs

Regional Circles

Used for elections and consultation, with the Chief Speaker rotating among these circles based on traditional protocols:

African Indigenous Nations
Asia-Pacific Indigenous Peoples
Arctic Indigenous Communities
Americas Indigenous Nations
European Indigenous Peoples

Subsidiary Organs

The Assembly may establish subsidiary organs as deemed necessary:

  • Elder Councils
  • Cultural Preservation Commissions
  • Traditional Governance Committees
  • Spiritual and Healing Circles
  • Working Groups for Specific Issues

Special Sessions:

Emergency sessions may be convened for urgent Indigenous rights issues, cultural crises, or environmental threats.