Indigenous Peoples’ Voices on Biodiversity: Mr. Ned Tuguinay – Philippines

As part of the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) celebration of the International Day for Biodiversity, Mr. Ned Tuguinay, an Indigenous Youth from the Cordillera region of the Philippines emphasizes in his video message that Indigenous Youth play a key role in the discourse on biodiversity.

Mr. Ned stresses that our future and the future of our biodiversity depend on the empowered indigenous youth of today, as they are the next generation of strong leaders both within and beyond their communities.

Mr. Ned currently serves as the Chair of the Asia Indigenous Youth Platform (AIYP).
“In recent years we have seen efforts to revitalize indigenous knowledge, language, and cultures which are all closely tied to our biodiversity management and conservation. For instance, in the Philippines and Indonesia, Indigenous youth formations are conducting programmes that allow indigenous youth who are displaced or diasporic to go back to their communities and learn indigenous knowledge systems and practices. In other countries in Asia, Indigenous Youth Organizations are also active in utilizing new forms of media to document and promote indigenous culture in relation to broader campaigns on the environment, land rights, human rights, and self-determination,” explains Mr. Ned

To gain further insight into the ongoing consolidation and strengthening of the Indigenous Youth movement across Asia, we recommend watching this video.