Indigenous Knowledge and Peoples of Asia (IKPA)
Background
Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) and the Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) with the financial support from the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) implemented the project “Laying the Foundations for an Indigenous Peoples Partnership on Community Mapping and Monitoring in Asia”. The main outcome of the project is the establishment of the regional network known as “Indigenous Knowledge and Peoples of Asia (IKPA)” in June 2019.
Goal of the IKPA
The goal of the IKPA is to advance the recognition, respect and visibility of Indigenous Knowledge and Community lead initiatives at all levels.
Functions of the IKPA
The matrix below shows the major three functions of the IKPA as well as activities to be implemented to fulfil those functions:
- Establish platforms for information sharing and learning at local, country, and regional levels
- Skills Training on Community Based Monitoring and Information System (CBMIS) Tools and Technologies
- Community-based training for documentation, reporting and monitoring
- Workshops on Community Mapping and Community Protocol
- Sensitization workshop for indigenous youth on the importance and value of Indigenous Knowledge Systems
- Develop local journalists to communicate the ways of life of indigenous peoples (living in harmony with nature)
- Revitalization of Customary Governance and Resource Management Systems
- Production of Information, Communication and Education (IEC) Materials in local, national, and international languages
- Analysis on the existing laws and policies relating to indigenous knowledge and land rights
- Documentation, publication, and promotion on Indigenous Peoples’ Knowledge Systems (IPKS) for evidence-based advocacy
- Contribution to Global Biodiversity Outlook (GBO) and Local Biodiversity Outlook (LBO)
- Consultation and dialogue with policy makers
- Collection of community initiatives/stories to feed into Local Communities and Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP), Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and 2030 Agenda on Sustainable Development
- Facilitate strong support and solidarity from local level to international level on Indigenous Knowledge
- Identify communities that can be promoted and/or strengthened as a model community/Community Learning Centre (CLC)
- Learning exchange consisting of elder, youth and women at local, country, and regional levels to facilitate inter-generational learning and transfer of indigenous knowledge
- Support communities to replicate and upscale the good practices on resource management
- Provide support to strengthen the livelihoods, education, and knowledge systems of indigenous peoples
Articles

“A Human Rights-based Approach is Key to Addressing the Global Biodiversity and Climate Crises”:
A Hybrid Side Event on Indigenous Peoples’ Initiatives and Actions in the Context of the Paris Agreement and the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
Under the key theme “Building a Green, Healthy and Resilient Future with Forests”, the fifteenth World Forestry Congress, held from 2 to 6 May 2022

Indigenous Peoples’ rights in NDCs: Initial observations from Asia
25 April 2022 Authors: Lakpa Nuri Sherpa, Environment Programme Coordinator, Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact Celina Yong, Regional Technical Advisor & Stakeholder Engagement Specialist, Climate &

“Land Tenure Security is the Foundation for Resilient and Sustainable Food Systems”-A Webinar on Indigenous Women as Global Game Changers
It has been widely acknowledged that the world’s dominant food systems are unsustainable: as key drivers of climate change, they generate adverse environmental, socio-economic, and

Further Reciprocal Rice for Fish: An act of Indigenous Peoples against Covid-19 recurrence
Following the incidence of Covid-19, the phenomena of reciprocal commodities takes place among Indigenous Peoples of Thailand. This happens especially between the Indigenous Karen in

Indigenous Peoples Call for Climate Action Amidst Global Pandemic
Indigenous Peoples are concerned by the fact that vital climate negotiations for the planet’s survival have been postponed due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. While

The Forest as Community Supermarket for Karen Indigenous Peoples in Thailand
In Ban Mae Jok, neither electricity nor internet/Wi-Fi are available, but 1,600 hectares of natural forest provide a much larger choice of consumable items than
Publications

Southeast Asia Sub-Regional Report: Country Reports From Malaysia, Philippines, And Indonesia
Nationally Determined Contribution in Asia: Are governments recognizing the rights, roles and contributions of Indigenous Peoples? Using a gender and social inclusion approach, the sub-regional


South Asia Sub-Regional Report: Country Reports From Bangladesh, India, And Nepal
Nationally Determined Contribution in Asia: Are governments recognizing the rights, roles and contributions of Indigenous Peoples? Using a gender and social inclusion approach, the sub-regional


Mekong Sub-Regional Report: Country Reports From Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, And Thailand
Nationally Determined Contribution in Asia: Are governments recognizing the rights, roles and contributions of Indigenous Peoples? Using a gender and social inclusion approach, the sub-regional


Recognising the contributions of Indigenous Peoples in global climate action?
On 28 February 2022, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) published a ground-breaking report on Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability of climate change. The report


Training Manual for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities on the Convention on Biological Diversity
The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (SCBD) published the “Training Manual for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities on the Convention on Biological Diversity”


CELEBRATING AND AMPLIFYING HER STORIES: INDIGENOUS WOMEN, ANCESTRAL WISDOM
Millions of Indigenous Peoples in Asia live in remote areas in the mountains, hills, plains, river basins, forests, and coastal areas. The homes of Indigenous
Videos


Voices of Indigenous Woman: Ms. Wanitchaya Kantayoung
Indigenous Women are the key practitioners, innovators, and holders of Indigenous Knowledge relating to their traditional livelihoods. They play a crucial role in preserving indigenous


Indigenous Women’s Voices in their Indigenous Language
Karen Indigenous Women’s Group members of Mae Yod Village from Northern Thailand articulates their forest voices in their indigenous language.


The Nine Level Agriculture of the Akha People
For Akha people women are a symbol of diversity and fertility. In their resourcefulness lies the propagation of farming methods that have yielded a variety of foods.
Statements



PRESS RELEASE: Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities celebrate COP15 deal on nature, and welcome the opportunity of working together with states to implement the framework
Montreal, 19 Dec 2022 Following two weeks of often tense negotiations of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), in Montreal, Canada, the International Indigenous Forum



PRESS RELEASE: There can be no agreement to save nature without inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
Montreal, 7 December 2022 The global biodiversity framework to save nature must respect, promote and support the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities if


PRESS RELEASE: Failure to recognise indigenous rights will derail achievement of global climate pledges: case studies from Asia
A new study reveals that Nationally Determined Contributions, a cornerstone of the international framework aimed at addressing climate change, are likely to fail unless indigenous