Photo by Alex Robinson (Nansemond).
Policy
Centering Indigenous Peoples and knowledge in policy
Photo: Lenapehoking, North America, by Linda Dutan (Cañari).
Public policy decisions should never be made about Indigenous territories without Indigenous Peoples’ agreement and deep engagement.
Our work is aimed at lowering barriers Indigenous Peoples face in global policy making processes, and amplifying Indigenous voices in regional, national and international public policy.
Indigenous Peoples are facing ever-growing threats to their rights, livelihoods, cultural vitality, spiritual practices and more.
Their ability to effectively participate in global forums – where critical decisions are made by policymakers and other stakeholders including extractive industries – is essential for a healthy planet for all.
New Report: 'Beyond Fragmentation: Advancing Coherence, Equity, and Indigenous Leadership Across the Rio Conventions'
A Nia Tero-commissioned report launched in August 2026 examines the scope and effectiveness of Indigenous Peoples’ participation in the three Rio Conventions – specifically their meaningful influence over decisions, implementation, financing and outcomes.
"For Indigenous Peoples, climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation are deeply connected and result from an imbalanced relationship between people and the earth," writes report author and Indigenous rights expert Minnie Degawan (Kankanaey-Igorot, Philippines).
The report calls for stronger coordination across existing structures and participation mechanisms that enable meaningful influence over decisions, implementation, and financing, ultimately leading to better outcomes for Indigenous territories and communities.
Advancing indigenous representation
In 2025 alone, Nia Tero, the U.N. Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples and Docip held 20 training sessions with nearly 7,500 participants on topics ranging from advocacy at the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, the just transition, and the UNESCO Heritage Committee among others. The trainings were provided in English, French, Spanish, Russian and Portuguese.
In preparation for the COP29 global U.N. climate change convention negotiations, Nia Tero, the U.N. Voluntary Fund for Indigenous Peoples, DOCIP, the U.N. Development Programme, and other Indigenous rights organizations conducted six free virtual training sessions catering to Indigenous leaders. These trainings were attended by over 600 participants and were designed to prepare Indigenous Peoples for engagement in global policy discussions affected by climate change.
2025 TRAINING SESSIONS
20+
TRAINING SESSIONS
held in 2025.
7500
PARTICIPANTS
attended trainings aimed at
strengthening Indigenous Peoples’
capacity at global policy forums.
100
COUNTRIES/TERRITORIES
were represented at the 2025
training sessions.
It’s important to know that these spaces will be overwhelming, but we must remain calm, knowing that this is a world that is structurally challenging us, but that we have our safeguards, our communities, our territories. Support will be here.
- María José Andrade Cerda
Kichwa (Ecuador)
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