About Us

The Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) is a regional organization founded in 1992 by Indigenous Peoples’ movements. AIPP is committed to the cause of promoting and defending Indigenous Peoples’ rights and human rights and articulating issues of relevance to Indigenous Peoples. At present, AIPP has 46 members from 14 countries in Asia with 18 Indigenous Peoples’ national alliances/networks (national formations), 30 local and sub-national organizations. Of this number, 16 are ethnic based organizations, six (6) Indigenous women and four (4) are Indigenous youth organizations and one (1) organization of Indigenous persons with disabilities.

Purpose

Section 1: To serve as an organisation for sharing aspirations, ideas and experiences, consolidating cooperation, solidarity and coordination for developing common agenda and programmes on issues affecting Indigenous Peoples in Asia.

Section 2: To enhance capacities of Indigenous communities, organizations and institutions, including women and youth to respond to their concerns and issues at different levels.

Section 3: To develop programmes based on the key and strategic issues and needs of member-organizations.

Section 4: To advocate the cause of Indigenous Peoples at all levels and engage with relevant national, regional and international processes as well as with relevant institutions, and agencies.

Section 5: To strengthen linkages, networking and co-ordination with advocate and support-organizations, and support other organizations and movements for the realization of the aspirations of Indigenous Peoples in Asia as well as to contribute in achieving equality, peace, democracy and justice.

Vision, Mission and Goals

Section 1: Vision – Indigenous Peoples in Asia are fully exercising their rights, distinct cultures and identities, and are living with dignity and enhancing their sustainable management systems of land territories and resources for their own future and development in an environment of peace, justice and equality.

Section 2: Mission – AIPP strengthens the solidarity, cooperation and capacities of Indigenous Peoples in Asia to promote and protect their rights, cultures and identities, and their sustainable resource management systems for their development and self-determination.

Section 3: Goals –

1. To empower Indigenous Peoples in Asia to promote and defend their human rights and fundamental freedoms and claim legal recognition to their identities, collective rights under UNDRIP and other international human rights instruments.
2. To build the broadest solidarity and cooperation of Indigenous Peoples in Asia to strengthen Indigenous movements.
3. To promote and protect the integrity of nature and the environment and enhance the sustainable resource management systems of Indigenous Peoples including their traditional knowledge, food sovereignty and biodiversity by having full control over their land, territories and resources.
4. To attain full and effective participation and representation of Indigenous Peoples, particularly indigenous women and youth at all levels of decision-making.
5. To strengthen solidarity and cooperation with other social movements towards achieving equity, equality, peace, democracy and justice.

Meaning of AIPP logo

The weaving pattern in the logo represents the sisterhood and brotherhood of Indigenous Peoples in Asia — the interconnectedness and harmonious relationship, as well as the richness of Indigenous Peoples’ cultures. In the weaving pattern, the letters “AIPP” is actually woven together to signify the role and meaning of the existence of AIPP. The color red, being predominant among the Indigenous Peoples in Asia, symbolizes collective power and solidarity of Indigenous Peoples’ struggles. The white stars on the left and right wings symbolize the sub-regional formations of AIPP. The colored letters “AIPP” signifies “ecosystem peoples”, Indigenous Peoples.

Organizational Structure

The General Assembly (GA), held every four years, is AIPP’s highest decision-making body. The GA adopts the strategic 4-year program, approves policies, guidelines and resolutions and elects a 12-member Executive Council (EC), including Indigenous youth and women representatives, the Chairperson and the Secretary General. The Executive Council, chosen from the different sub-regions, provides collective leadership to the organization through sharing of tasks and organizational representation. The Secretary General, directly accountable to the EC and the members, leads the Secretariat in the implementation of programme activities. The Programme Committees, Executive Council, member organizations and partner organizations are actively involved in programme implementation.

AIPP is mainly guided by its Constitution and by-Laws, Organizational Manual, Strategic Plan (2025 – 2029) as well as Gender Justice, Anti-corruption and Finance Management Policies. Through the years it has demonstrated its good practices of transparency and accountability in the functioning of the organization.

 

Strategic Plan 2025-2029

This Strategic Plan — encompassing our long-term Strategic Direction and the Four-Year Strategy (2025 – 2028) — reaffirms the commitment of AIPP members to advance the right to self-determination and territorial sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples across Asia. Rooted in over eight years of dialogue, collective action, and critical reflection, it embodies a movement-led transformation — one shaped by the knowledge, struggles, and unwavering resolve of Indigenous Peoples themselves.

Download the AIPP Strategic Plan 2025-2029 (PDF | 5.6 MB)