Leadership and Contributions of Amazon Indigenous Peoples to Climate Action and a Sustainable Future

As part of the International Exchange of Experiences on Climate Governance, Action and Financing, held from 31 March to 3 April  in Lima, Peru, Indigenous leaders from Peru and Ecuador conducted an in-depth analysis of the Peruvian Amazonian indigenous movement’s experience in developing their own proposals to address climate change over the past 15 years. The School of Indigenous Governance and Development (EGIDA) of the Interethnic Association for the Development of the Peruvian Rainforest (AIDESEP) facilitated this unprecedented event, designed by Indigenous Peoples for Indigenous Peoples.

«A delegation from Ecuador came to discuss these important issues and engage in debate, drawing from our knowledge. It is crucial to prepare young people in these spaces where elders and leaders, who have been fighting for years, are also present. We hope to continue learning from more experiences,” said Jahayra Machoa, Youth Leader of the Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of the Ecuadorian Amazon (CONFENIAE).

Through presentations, panels and collaborative workspaces, participants reflected on the progress, tensions and lessons learned from the Peruvian process, recognising it as a valuable source of experience and learning for Ecuadorian participants to continue strengthening their own territorial and climate agendas. The exchange also welcomed a delegation from Bolivia. Representatives from all three countries shared their valuable experiences and perspectives, as well as promoting an atmosphere of mutual analysis and feedback, considering their diverse national realities.

In light of the challenges and threats faced by Indigenous peoples, Jorge Pérez, President of AIDESEP, remarked: “Let’s discuss alternatives, let’s find where the problems lie—that is exactly what encourages us to be here (at this exchange). AIDESEP’s objective is to defend our territory in its entirety. Now we face greater and more sophisticated threats, and this should encourage us to reinvent ourselves, to rethink our strategies, because the threats we faced 20 years ago have grown stronger, impacting our territories and the institutional organisation of Indigenous Peoples.”

Innovative Experiences to Strengthen Amazonian Climate Governance

Peru, recognised as one of the leading countries in advancing Indigenous participation in climate action, hosted this international exchange. During the first two days of the event, some of Peru’s innovative initiatives were presented at a public session. These included efforts led by the Kowen Antami Consortium, the Amarakaeri Communal Reserve, the REDD+ Tajimat Pujut Project, and the Indigenous Jurisdictional REDD+ Programme in territories with low deforestation and high forest cover — the first of its kind globally. This programme was recently awarded the 2025 Climate Impact Award by the American Carbon Registry (ACR) for its innovative conservation model based on a partnership between the state and Indigenous peoples.

During the public event, participants analysed the progress of pioneering models such as the Amazonian Indigenous REDD+ (RIA), land titling as a priority for climate finance and the Dedicated Mechanism «Saweto Memoria Viva» (MDE Saweto) as a model for enabling Indigenous Peoples’ access to climate finance.

Photo: The exchange of experiences featured Indigenous speakers who presented climate finance management initiatives led by Indigenous organisations and communities.

In this context, during the last two days of the exchange, participants reflected on pending challenges such as implementing the jurisdictional approach of the RIA in territories with high forest cover, the urgent need to strengthen community adaptation plans, and the fight against carbon piracy. The consolidation of the National Registry of Mitigation Measures (RENAMI), the strengthening of Indigenous governance, and capacity-building for native communities and their representative organisations were also highlighted.

These political, technical, and social experiences demonstrate how Indigenous Peoples have moved from resisting to proposing, integrating their ancestral knowledge and technical tools into national and international climate governance. “Thanks to this exchange, I’m coming back to Bolivia with some very interesting experiences, particularly regarding REDD+, which is something new for us. I’m happy that all Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon share a common vision: to defend and fight for our Amazon, for our forests, which are our great home,” said Miguel Chipunavi, Secretary of Natural Resources and Tourism of the Indigenous Council of the Tacana People (CIPTA) of Bolivia.

It is important to highlight that the Amazon is home to millions of hectares of the world’s most biodiverse forests, which are vital for global climate stability and the livelihoods of its inhabitants. For this reason, the effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in policy-making, governance, and climate financing mechanisms is key to the successful conservation of the Amazon and the protection of Indigenous rights.

“It is essential to work together. The key point is the unity of Indigenous Peoples. We are already carrying out joint projects (across countries). I want to encourage you all in your efforts and in strengthening your organisations, always thinking about unity, because this will ensure that our rights are respected,” emphasised Julio Cusurichi, leader of AIDESEP.

Indigenous Voices on the Road to COP30

The outcomes of this exchange will feed into the roadmap that Amazonian Indigenous Peoples will bring to the upcoming 30th Conference of the Parties (COP30) on Climate Change, to be held in Brazil in November, as well as to other relevant national and international climate forums.

This effort aims to highlight and strengthen the key role of Indigenous Peoples in climate action, forest protection and biodiversity conservation, both at the national level and as an essential part of the global response to the climate crisis.“This exchange has been quite different from what we are used to. These past days have been very valuable to me. I have learned a lot. We must continue evaluating our actions and commitments. We need to be well prepared for COP30,” added Washington Tiwi, President of the Provincial Federation of the Shuar Nationality of Zamora Chinchipe (FEPNASH ZCH) in Ecuador.

Finally, for Teresita Antazú, an AIDESEP leader, this kind of knowledge exchange is beneficial for all Amazonian countries, especially in those areas where it is crucial to promote the participation of Indigenous women and incorporate their voices to propose solutions that benefit communities.

“At AIDESEP, we are working to ensure that women’s participation is equal to that of men. Today, women are taking on leadership roles — they are professionals, regional leaders, and presidents of organisations. We must keep fighting so that more women can follow in our footsteps… All these dreams are achievable, we just need to look ahead,” said Antazú.

Photo: Delegations from Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia were part in the international exchange of experiences held in Lima – Perú, from 31 March to 3 April.

About the Exchange of Experiences

AIDESEP, through EGIDA,and CONFENIAE promoted this international and intercultural learning initiative, with the technical support of the BLF Andes Amazon Project, funded by UK International Development through the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund and implemented by a consortium led by Practical Action.

Further information: www.blfandesamazonico.org

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