The GIYC was born out of the context of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII). The main focus of its advocacy is to influence the work of the UNPFII. The GIYC helps organize meetings of indigenous youth in preparation for the UNPFII with the aim of reaching agreements and consolidating positions on the local, national and international levels. The outcomes of these regional meetings serve as mandates for the youth representatives who attend the UNPFII session.

During the UNPFII, the youth caucus meets every morning before the sessions. In the GIYC’s daily sessions, it agrees on comprehensive positions that are presented to the UNPFII as statements during the plenary. The GIYC also organizes several meetings with relevant offices and organizations such as IFAD, ILC, Slow Food, FAO, and WIPO, as well as the Inter-Agency Support Group (IASG).