IUCN Launches the Indigenous Peoples Ambassador Programme at the Eighth GEF Assembly.

Primary forests are among Earth’s most valuable ecosystems. However, they are under increasing threat. Indigenous Peoples have been the stewards of primary forests for generations and play a crucial role in ensuring these unique ecosystems’ continued survival. The Indigenous Peoples Ambassadors Programme is designed to work with and support the leadership, knowledge, and priorities of Indigenous Peoples in advancing primary forest conservation. The programme is a component of Strengthening Conservation of Primary Forests Project, an initiative supported by the GEF, implemented by IUCN in partnership with the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Griffith University.  

“Indigenous Peoples have been the stewards of the world's most vital ecosystems for generations, safeguarding primary forests with their waters and biodiversity that sustain life across the planet. The knowledge they carry is irreplaceable,” said Claude Gascon, Interim CEO and Chairperson of the GEF. “Supporting Indigenous organizations and leadership is one of the most effective ways to protect the world’s natural resources, and one of the most meaningful commitments we can make for our collective future.”

More specifically, the award, to be presented at the Seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in October in Yerevan Armenia, will identify Indigenous Ambassadors who demonstrate a contribution and positive impact to primary forest conservation, rooted in a strong work with their communities, Indigenous Peoples rights, cultural continuity, and leadership. In identifying and supporting these Indigenous leaders, the programme will also increase the recognition and visibility of Indigenous Peoples and primary forests as essential for a healthy planet and healthy people.

The launch of this programme took place during the side event “From Protection to Prosperity: Enabling Conditions for Advancing Primary Forest Conservation” hosted by IUCN during the eight GEF Assembly. The event examined the governance and institutional conditions that have supported primary forest conservation at the landscape scale, while highlighting the importance of operational models, where Indigenous People’s stewardship is structurally embedded in governance frameworks, financing instruments, and benefit-sharing mechanisms. It also brought together high-level speakers from across the conservation community and Indigenous leaders themselves to discuss how landscape-scale social and ecological assessments are practical tools for integrated decision-making across conservation, livelihoods, development pressures, and investment planning, while respecting Indigenous Peoples self-determined priorities.  

“Evidence has shown us that land managed by Indigenous people has an important value in protecting biodiversity, storing carbon, had safeguarding human health” said IUCN Forest and Grasslands Global Head, Chetan Kumar. “It is imperative that the indigenous stewards of these forests are celebrated for their unmatched contributions to conservation.”  

As GEF 9 programming begins, it is imperative to look at primary forest ecosystems holistically, and the role of Indigenous Peoples, understanding the diverse perspectives, voices, and knowledge systems that define and sustain them. The Indigenous Peoples Ambassador Programme represents a powerful step toward placing those who have long protected these landscapes at the centre of global conservation decision-making, ensuring that voices that matter are not only heard but celebrated. Join us as we countdown to the announcement of the first-ever Primary Forest Ambassadors.

About IUCN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global membership organization founded in 1948 that brings together governments, civil society organizations, Indigenous Peoples' organizations, scientists, and experts to advance nature conservation and sustainable development. As the world's largest environmental network, the IUCN provides scientific knowledge, policy guidance, and practical tools to address biodiversity loss, climate change, and ecosystem degradation. Through its work on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and nature-based solutions, the IUCN plays a central role in informing international environmental policy and helping countries achieve global conservation and sustainable development goals.

About UNFF

The United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) is an intergovernmental body within the United Nations dedicated to promoting the sustainable management, conservation, and development of all types of forests. Established in 2000 under the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), the UNFF serves as a global platform for governments, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, and other stakeholders to address forest-related challenges and strengthen international cooperation.  

About the GEF

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is the world’s largest multilateral fund for the environment. Its family of funds work together to address the planet's most pressing challenges in an integrated way. Its financing helps developing countries address complex challenges and work towards meeting international environmental goals. Over the past three decades, the GEF has provided more than $27 billion in financing, primarily as grants, and mobilized another $155 billion for country-driven priority projects. For more information: https://www.thegef.org/