Main Issue
Nearly a quarter of the Earth’s surface and vast ocean areas are managed by Indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs), and these areas hold 80% of the Earth's biodiversity. In addition, an estimated 37.7 billion metric tons of carbon is contained in lands where IPLCs have full legal tenure. This presents both enormous challenges and opportunities for the environment and Indigenous peoples themselves.
The efforts of Indigenous peoples to maintain their territories have been critically important in providing global environmental benefits. Given the inextricable bond of Indigenous peoples to the land, any loss of natural resources threatens their identity and impoverishes their communities. But Indigenous peoples are not only victims of a deteriorating global environment: they are also a source of effective solutions.
The rich traditions and bountiful knowledge of Indigenous peoples can help the world cope with changing environmental patterns and conditions. And since Indigenous peoples are often particularly vulnerable to climate change, our efforts at conserving biodiversity can also strengthen their economic and cultural resilience.
What We Do
The GEF has been working in partnership with Indigenous peoples since its inception in 1991. We were one of the first international financial institutions to develop an independent policy to engage with civil society, including Indigenous peoples. This policy provides the basis for participation of Indigenous peoples in all aspects of our work.
In recent years, the GEF has enhanced its partnership with Indigenous peoples in various ways. We have adopted Principles and Guidelines for Engagement with Indigenous Peoples. We have developed the GEF Policy on Agency Minimum Standards on Environmental and Social Safeguards (which includes a minimum standard dedicated to indigenous peoples). And we have established the GEF Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group (IPAG), whose members include Indigenous peoples and others, and provides useful guidance and partnership to the GEF Secretariat.
Our work is guided by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). As the financial mechanism of the Rio Conventions, the GEF also recognizes the importance of protecting Indigenous peoples, and the land and resources upon which they depend.
At the 11th Conference of the Parties, for example, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) invited the GEF to provide support to Indigenous and local communities to build capacity to participate in legal, policy, and decision-making processes, and assist in building their capacity related to genetic resources and traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources for the implementation of the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing.
For its part, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) has stipulated that National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) should include Indigenous peoples in all stages — from design and implementation to monitoring and evaluation. The GEF supports NAPs through its climate change adaptation focal area.
Results
Between 1991 and 2014, the GEF actively involved Indigenous peoples in over 220 medium- and full-size projects and more than 2,300 projects under the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP). Biodiversity conservation continues to dominate among projects with Indigenous peoples. However, in recent years, Indigenous peoples have been increasingly involved in other GEF focal area projects, such as Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainable Forest Management. Outcomes from these projects include improving Indigenous peoples-related policies; enhancing co-management of protected areas; sustainable and integrated natural resource management; and strengthening institutions, capacity and skills, and knowledge development.
Looking Ahead
Building on this foundation, in GEF-7 the GEF will work with Indigenous peoples and local communities, national governments, NGOs, and others to strengthen the capacity of IPLCs to conserve biodiversity.
GEF projects funded with the regional/global set aside will focus in geographies where IPLC territories that are home to globally significant biodiversity, and that may also include important carbon stocks, are under threat.
Project investments will focus on:
- Site-based conservation and sustainable use;
- Sustainable financing of IPLC-driven conservation; and
- Capacity development for IPLC organizations and integration of diverse knowledge systems to achieve conservation and sustainable natural resource management outcomes.
Related Topics
Our approach to incorporating indigenous peoples into our work is multifaceted and has evolved over the years. For us, the key to remaining current and effective in our work with indigenous peoples involves sustained communication and outreach to ensure that we have effective policies, programs, and projects.
On September 10, 2012, the GEF, in its information document Principles and Guidelines for Engagement with Indigenous Peoples, established an Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group to enhance coordination between the GEF and Indigenous Peoples. The key objective of the GEF Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group is to provide advice to the GEF Indigenous Peoples focal point on the operationalization and reviewing of the Principles and Guidelines for Engagement with Indigenous Peoples paper, particularly on the appropriate modality to enhance dialogue among the Indigenous Peoples, GEF Partner Agencies, the GEF Secretariat and other experts. IPAG also is providing guidance on financing options for indigenous peoples and enhancing monitoring and evaluation metrics, among other things.
On 2-3 July 2013, the GEF Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group held its first meeting at Washington DC, USA at the GEF Secretariat. Since that first meeting, IPAG has met regularly to advance the goals outlined in the IPAG Terms of Reference and 2013-2015 Work Plan.
An important activity of the GEF IPAG is to raise awareness among Indigenous Peoples on opportunities for engagement with the GEF. IPAG members have presented at various international forums, including the Convention on Biological Diversity and World Parks Congress.
IPAG Administration and Operations:
1) IPAG Terms of Reference
2) IPAG 2 Year Workplan (2013-2015)
The Advisory Group consists of the following members:
- Ms. Lucy Mulenkei, Executive Director of the Indigenous Information Center (IPAG Chair)
- Ms. Mrinalini Rai, Indigenous Advisor and Gender Expert, CCRI, Global Forest Coalition
- Ms. Yolanda Teran, Education Coordinator of the Indigenous Women Network on Biodiversity from Latin America and the Caribbean
- Mr. Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, President, Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (Representative of the GEF NGO Network)
- Mr. Gonzalo Oviedo, Senior Advisor, Social Policy Program, IUCN (Expert)
- Mr. Terence Hay-Edie, Programme Advisor, United Nations Development Programme (GEF Agency Principal Representative)
- Mr. Carlos Perez-Brito, Social Specialist, Inter-American Development Bank (GEF Agency Alternate Representative)
- Ms. Yoko Watanabe, Indigenous Peoples Focal Point and Senior Biodiversity Specialist, GEF Secretariat
The GEF expresses appreciation to former members of the IPAG for their valuable contributions:
- Mr. Marcial Arias Garcia
- Mr. Johnson Cerd