Indigenous Peoples' Day 2026: A Conversation on Forest Stewardship in Asia

Please could you introduce AIPP and its role representing Indigenous People across Asia?

AIPP was founded in 1992 and serves as the regional platform for Indigenous Peoples across Asia. Made up of 46 member organisations across Asia, we're a regional platform working alongside local organisations, including women, youth and people with disabilities, to strengthen their solidarity, share knowledge and experience, as well as build the capacity of communities to advance their rights at the local, national and regional level. 

I have been working to promote the recognition of Indigenous identities, cultural and collective rights, and sustainable management of land use and natural resources, particularly for Indigenous youth and people to be involved in decision-making processes.

What does primary forest conservation look like from an Indigenous Peoples’ perspective? 

We can't separate the forest or nature from our livelihoods and our lives. These primary forests are our home – we rely on them for food, medicine, and cultural and spiritual values. So effective conservation means recognition of Indigenous Peoples' rights to land, territories, and resources, including respecting our knowledge and supporting our governance system.

Can you share an example of Indigenous-led forest stewardship that deserves more recognition? 

Every Indigenous group has its own system to protect natural resources. I come from the Hmong community in Northern Thailand. We demonstrate strong Indigenous stewardship through customary watershed management and forest management, for example, through a traditional ceremony held every year in every community called "Dong Seng". Each community selects one tree to become a sacred area, and all the trees around that tree have to be protected. We have a belief system that we're not allowed to collect any products, or if we do collect, we have to ask permission from our ancestors. Every year, we conduct a ceremony to thank our ancestors for taking care of those sacred areas.

What does meaningful participation between a regional program and Indigenous networks require? 

Number one, you have to recognise Indigenous Peoples first – not only in participation and decision-making but from the beginning, and not only as beneficiaries or participants, but engaged as equal partners. This is the meaning of meaningful participation.

AIPP works closely with members to enhance the capacity of Indigenous leaders to analyse projects from organisations. Sometimes, projects don’t have a clear understanding of the local context which doesn’t allow for meaningful participation. AIPP enhances the capacity of Indigenous Peoples to choose what they need and make sure they're able to decide, monitor the situation, and be part of the project.

We also try to connect Indigenous Peoples across Asia and strengthen our members' capacity to exchange good practices from different countries.               

Where do you see the biggest opportunities – or biggest challenges - for regional conservation initiatives to work alongside indigenous organisations? 

Since the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), Indigenous Peoples are known and recognised at the international level, including through the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This provides an opportunity for Indigenous Peoples to make the connection at the local level. This can help shape how governments integrate Indigenous Peoples into national plans – as in the case of the Philippines’ Indigenous Peoples Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (IPBSAP).

The main challenge is that most countries in Asia don't yet recognise Indigenous Peoples, which makes implementation of those conventions difficult at the country level.

AIPP is one of the Technical Advisory Group (TAG) Members of the Southeast Asia and Pacific Forests Integrated Program (SEAP Forests IP), which is a six-year, USD 42.4 million initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) co-led by IUCN and FAO.

The TAG provides expert guidance, knowledge and strategic direction to conserve primary forests and support Indigenous and local community rights throughout the program’s implementation. 

AIPP also joined the SEAP Forests IP’s first annual conference in May 2026, providing key insights and examples on the role of Indigenous communities in primary forest conservation.  

How can programs like SEAP Forests IP best use their platform to amplify AIPP’s work? 

By ensuring inclusive and equal participation of Indigenous Peoples at different levels of the program. We have to look at which areas projects are being implemented in, and which Indigenous organisations are present there – many of which AIPP members already work with – so AIPP can connect programs with those organisations and support each other. We don’t need to start from zero. 

I also really believe in Indigenous-led conservation practices. Programs can help by mapping those practices, to understand how to promote what already exists instead of bringing new ideas.

What would you like partners and donors to understand better about supporting Indigenous-led approaches to primary forest conservation?

Indigenous-led conservation is not new. It's been built over many years and generations between Indigenous Peoples and our forests. Supporting Indigenous-led conservation means investing in strengthening capacity, allowing for flexible activities, and thinking about long-term support.

One thing we've learned from experience is that working at the watershed-area level, instead of just at the community level, helps in the long term as communities within the same area will have different goals. This can also help ensure projects continue after funding ends. 

Looking ahead, what does success look like for AIPP and its network over the next decade? 

For the next ten years, I hope Indigenous Peoples in Asia are fully recognised as rightsholders and equal partners in shaping our future. I hope there will be stronger Indigenous movements that can lead advocacy, protect lands, and advance our rights at the local, national and international level. 

We also want to see the recognition of Indigenous and traditional territories as one of the pathways in the conservation of biodiversity.

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length. All views expressed are Nittaya Earkanna's own.