Brazzaville, Republic of Congo — May 26, 2025 — Greenpeace is delighted to support and endorse the first World Congress of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities of Forest Basins, scheduled for May 26-30, 2025 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo. This historic gathering brings together indigenous leaders, community representatives, conservationists and international allies determined to defend the planet’s most critical forest ecosystems.
Forests across the Amazon, Congo and Borneo-Mekong–Papua-Southeast Asia are cradles of biodiversity and cultural heritage. These critical ecosystems hold the key to the planet’s climate stability—yet they are under relentless threat from deforestation, illegal logging, land grabbing, and extractive industries. Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities have been the true custodians of these lands for generations, harnessing ancient knowledge and sustainable practices that are vital in the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss.
Bonaventure Bondo, Forest Campaigner for the Congo Basin at Greenpeace Africa, declared:
“Indigenous peoples and Local Communities are the guardians of the world’s remaining forest. In the Congo Basin, they implement local solution-based initiatives to protect forests and preserve biodiversity using their traditional knowledge. This Congress is a call to the World: Recognize and co-power Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to lead the way in sustainably protecting our forests—for their well-being and the future of the entire planet.”
Romulo Batista, Senior Campaigner at Greenpeace Brazil, emphasized:
“In the Amazon, Indigenous Peoples protect millions of hectares of forest in their demarcated and undemarcated territories. Global leaders and international financiers should respect their territories and invest in their solutions, not in agribusiness and mining activities that threaten and invade their lands, forests and rivers.”
Amos Sumbung, Forest Campaigner at Greenpeace Southeast Asia (Indonesia), insisted:
“In Southeast Asia, our forests are being ripped apart faster than ever. The largest remaining forest in this region is Papua – Indonesia, which should not be destroyed and should be defended at all costs. Indigenous leadership is the only way to stop this destruction. This gathering must be a turning point—where Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities voices are heard, and their rights are prioritized in global climate policies.”
As a staunch supporter of environmental justice and the rights of Indigenous Peoples, Greenpeace urges the global community and calls on governments, international organizations, and civil society to:
- Recognize and uphold the tenure rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
- Ensure direct access to finance for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to lead and scale up their own forest solutions initiatives.
- Incorporate Indigenous knowledge into climate and biodiversity science and policies at all levels.
- Commit to concrete actions that protect both forests and the cultures that depend on them.
Together, we can build a future where forests thrive, biodiversity flourishes, and Indigenous Peoples are co-powered as stewards of the planet.The future of the planet depends on the guardianship of its Indigenous peoples and Local Communities. Greenpeace stands with them in demanding urgent actions.
Contacts:
Raphael Mavambu, Media and Communications, [email protected], Greenpeace Africa
Tracy Makheti, Global Digital & Engagement Lead, [email protected], Greenpeace Africa
