World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature

The World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature (IP Summit) was convened to unite the voices of indigenous peoples from around the world to raise awareness that enhanced measures are required to protect the rights of indigenous peoples and their roles as stewards of nature. It was one of four summits organised in connection with the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Marseille. Organisation of the Summit was led by IUCN Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation (IPO) Members, with support from the IUCN Secretariat and Commissions.

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The indigenous peoples of the world continue to work to advance recognition and respect for their ways of life, their rights to lands, territories and natural resources and their traditional knowledge, all of which underpin their substantial contributions to the conservation of nature. Although indigenous peoples are culturally diverse, they are united by their intrinsic relationship with Mother Earth and by the common challenges they face.

The IP Summit provided an opportunity to increase the visibility of and concrete support for the significant roles and contributions of indigenous peoples to conserving nature, highlighting indigenous solutions, needs and proposals. The IISD report of the World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature is available here.

As a key output of the Summit, IUCN Indigenous Peoples’ Organization Members launched the global indigenous agenda for the governance of indigenous lands, territories and natural resources (English | Spanish), articulating a defined set of high-level results for indigenous-led conservation in the post-2020 era. The agenda includes outcomes related to indigenous collective rights and governance, biodiversity, climate change, post-Covid recovery and indigenous leadership in environmental decision-making, together with a call for action.

A recording of the full 4-hour IP Summit is available in English, French and Spanish for viewing here. A follow-up session on Advancing the Outcomes of the World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature was held on September 5 – the IISD report and a recording of this 1.5 hour session are also available.

To amplify indigenous voices and priorities, IUCN collaborated with the Forest Farm Facility and IFNOTUSTHENWHO? in producing a communications campaign called Indigenous Insights - Stewarding the Earth. The campaign published a series of video messages from IPOs and partners and published news and events to help inform and advance indigenous rights in a key year of environmental policymaking.

 

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Participants exchange gifts at the World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature
Photo: IUCN / Ecodeo-Liz Rubin

 

 

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