Press Release: AIPP Elects Seasoned Human Rights Champion as New Secretary-General

AIPP PRESS RELEASE

AIPP Elects Seasoned Human Rights Champion as New Secretary-General

3 February 2026, Chiang Mai, Thailand

The Executive Council of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) proudly announces the election of Mr. Pallab Chakma as AIPP’s 5th Secretary-General, following an online Extraordinary General Assembly held on 2 February 2026.

In a powerful demonstration of Indigenous unity and democratic practice, 84 AIPP members including women, youth, and persons with disabilities from East Asia, Mekong, South Asia, and Southeast Asia sub-regions actively participated in this milestone gathering. Following the mandate from AIPP’s 9th General Assembly in June 2025, Indigenous delegates unanimously endorsed Mr. Pallab’s candidacy.

A Proven Indigenous Peoples’ Human Rights Defender

For nearly two decades, Mr. Pallab has dedicated his life to advance respect and recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ rights as enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) at local, national, regional and international levels. His experience includes:

• Co-Chair, International Land Coalition (ILC) Council – steering global advocacy on land rights and tenure security
• Executive Director, Kapaeeng Foundation (Bangladesh) since 2014 – defending Indigenous Peoples’ rights while strengthening AIPP’s regional and international influence
• Academic grounding in mediation, conflict resolution, and international relations—tools that sharpen his activism

Leading AIPP into 2025-2029

Mr. Pallab assumes leadership as Indigenous Peoples across Asia face mounting threats from climate change, deforestation, land degradation, commercialization, land grabbing, water grabbing, militarization, and human rights violations linked to conservation, energy transition projects, and carbon markets, among others. His four-year tenure will accelerate AIPP’s new strategic plan while deepening the organization’s nature as a movement-based regional alliance that centers Indigenous Peoples’ agency and collective power.

“We are honored to have a leader who is deeply rooted in community struggle, Indigenous values, and seasoned in national, regional and global advocacy,” said Beverly L. Longid, Chairperson of the AIPP Executive Council. “Mr. Pallab embodies the spirit of our movement: grounded, relentless, and committed to genuine Indigenous-led change.”

The Executive Council and AIPP members congratulates Mr. Pallab and welcomes him to this crucial role as we advance our collective vision for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, dignity, and justice across Asia.

For media inquiries:
Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP)
Chiang Mai, Thailand
[email protected]
www.aippnet.org

Click to view the official Press Release on the New Secretary-General