In a global context marked by climate urgency and accelerating biodiversity loss, representatives of indigenous peoples and United Nations organizations reinforced their call for stronger collaboration to protect the planet.

The meeting took place during the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress, held in Marseille, France, in September 2021. The event served as a key platform to advance concrete environmental actions by integrating diverse knowledge systems.

During the discussions, indigenous leaders highlighted that their participation in decision-making processes remains limited, despite their critical role in conserving natural resources. Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, an SDG Advocate, stressed the need for direct access to financing so that indigenous peoples can fully contribute to climate and biodiversity processes.

United Nations representatives also highlighted progress in integrating indigenous knowledge into international platforms, such as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Experts agreed that diverse knowledge systems are essential for finding sustainable solutions. At the same time, indigenous communities continue to face significant challenges, including land loss, human rights violations, and limited access to financial resources.

The event concluded with a call to strengthen cooperation among governments, international organizations, scientists, and indigenous peoples, recognizing their knowledge, culture, and governance systems as essential elements for building a sustainable future.