First-Ever Gathering: Hundreds Of Indigenous Leaders From Forest Nations To Meet Ahead Of COP30

From May 26 to 30, 2025, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities from the world’s largest and most vital tropical forest basins – the Amazon, Congo, Southeast Asia and Latin America – will gather in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo for the First Global Congress of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities from the Forest Basin with the goal of defining the outcomes COP30 should deliver on to protect the territories they guard. 

This landmark global event will bring together over 400 participants, with Indigenous and local community leaders and government representatives – from around the world – including Norway's Special Envoy for the Ministry of Climate and Environment, Hans Brattskar, and Harlem Siu Mariño Saavedra with the Ministry of Environment of Peru. As discussions on COP30 continue to focus on logistics aspects of the conference, the congress hopes to bring depth and urgency to the protection of indigenous territories, with a focus on land titling and direct financing to their communities. 

“Our forests are not just carbon sinks or resources — they are our homes, our histories, and our futures. As the world prepares for COP30, it must center on the most effective climate solutions: securing Indigenous land rights and enabling us to protect our own territories. This convening will harness the power of the world’s largest rainforests, bringing together governments and our organizations to advance land rights and secure direct funding to defend our lands from growing threats”, said Joseph Itongwa, Indigenous leader from the Democratic Republic of Congo and member of REPALEAC, and Co-chair of the GATC. 

EVENT DETAILS

The event will take place at the Grand Hôtel of Kintelé, Brazzaville, Republic of Congo May 26-30. 

It is hosted jointly by the Global Alliance for Territorial Communities and its member organizations, along with the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI). 

The Congress builds on major international milestones, from COP26 in Glasgow and COP15 in Montreal to COP29 in Baku, where Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities gained unprecedented visibility. The focus is now on translating pledges into concrete policies, direct financing mechanisms, and legal protections.

MORE INFORMATION 

Global forest ecosystems are at a critical tipping point. At a time when deforestation is accelerating and biodiversity is collapsing, evidence shows that deforestation rates are significantly lower in territories managed by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Recent geo-political setbacks, including the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and suspension of international climate finance, have only intensified the urgency to amplify the leadership of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in climate and biodiversity action.

Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities play a vital role in slowing deforestation and protecting forests. A 2023 review of peer-reviewed research found that deforestation rates are significantly lower in Indigenous territories or on land managed by Indigenous Peoples. In the Amazon — where COP30 will be hosted — 90% of deforestation between 1985 and 2020 occurred outside Indigenous lands, which lost only 1.2% of native vegetation during that period. These territories remain the most effectively conserved areas in the region.

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