Public Statement on GATC participation at TFFF

Public Statement on GATC participation at TFFF

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The Tropical Forests Forever Fund (TFFF) is a new proposed international fund designed to generate sustainable revenue flows for forest conservation in tropical forest countries. The proposal by the Government of Brazil aims to capitalize a significant amount of resources through loans from donor countries and private capital markets, using the interest generated to reward countries for preserving their forests. These payments would be performance-based and would not involve the creation or commercialization of carbon credits. The TFFF Secretariat proposes that at least 20% of these resources be allocated to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IP&LCs).

As the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC), we reaffirm our commitment to a territorial agenda built from the ground up, governed by our territorial authorities and oriented towards the wellbeing of our peoples. One of our core priorities is to influence the transformation of national and international investment and cooperation towards a direct territorial investment approach, grounded in rights, self-determination, and results for our territories. This vision is embedded in our global advocacy and governance strategy: the Shandia Platform, which connects regional funds including the Mesoamerican Territorial Fund – FTM (Mesoamerica), the Indigenous Fund “Jaguata” (Brazil), the Territorial Fund – Nusantara (Asia), and the Territorial Fund for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities of Central Africa – REPALEAC (Africa). Our funds, led by the peoples and communities themselves, manage resources with cultural relevance, a territorial approach, and self-determined governance.

With this clear commitment to our peoples and communities, we join and proactively support the TFFF initiative led by Brazil, which has appointed the World Bank to support its design. We are particularly interested in influencing the mechanisms that will govern the allocation of the 20% of resources designated for IP&LCs, to ensure that Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities play a meaningful role in the governance of the fund and that these financial flows reach those who protect the tropical forests directly, effectively, and in culturally appropriate ways.

The GATC sees the TFFF process as a key political opportunity to transform the international financial architecture to ensure fairer and more direct access to climate finance for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. At the same time, it is an opportunity to strengthen our territorial funds and elevate direct territorial investment as an effective and scalable solution, rooted in our governance systems and development visions.

The co-design process for the IP&LC mechanism will be inclusive and open to networks beyond the GATC. We aim for it to be as participatory and inclusive as possible. This will include a listening session during the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) in April, and a global dialogue at the Global Summit of Forest Basins in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo, at the end of May. A Global Steering Committee will be established, with representatives from major Indigenous and community networks in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

At 20-Year Mark, APIB Asserts Global Climate Leadership at ATL 2025

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APIB’s 20th anniversary at ATL 2025 set the tone for indigenous leadership on climate action, with the launch of an Indigenous NDC, international coordination toward COP30 and powerful mobilizations. Top photo: Walter Kuamaruara

April 2025 — In a landmark moment for indigenous climate leadership, the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples of Brazil (APIB) marked its 20th anniversary at Acampamento Terra Livre (ATL) 2025 with the launch of the first proposal to include Indigenous Peoples demands within the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of Brazil. Additionally, APIB announced the creation of an International Indigenous Commission for COP30 and hosted a high-level meeting with more than 15 embassies to advance international cooperation on the road to Belem. 

Joined by Indigenous and local community leaders from Mexico, Panama, and Ecuador representing the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities, APIB reaffirmed their leadership as the key convenors of civil society for COP30. They elevated their campaign “We are the answer” which aims at uniting grassroots movements placing the focus on solutions led by Indigenous Peoples, local communities, quilombolas, and beyond. 

This year’s ATL was a turning point for the Indigenous movement, with the official launch of Brazil’s first Indigenous Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), a proposal aimed at integrating indigenous demands within the broader framework of Brazil’s climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. The NDC emphasizes the need for equity, self-determination, and active participation of Indigenous Peoples and traditional communities in the implementation of Brazil’s climate strategies.

“The launch of the Indigenous NDC in Brazil represents the strength with which our peoples are approaching COP30. We are reinforcing the importance of placing ourselves at the center of the climate debate, as we are essential to confronting the crisis,” said Kleber Karipuna, executive coordinator of APIB. “It is impossible, in the 21st century, with all the evidence recognizing our role as protectors of the territories, that we are not included as a vital strategy Brazil can offer in the fight against climate change.”

Two powerful protest marches led by Indigenous Peoples made headlines during ATL. The first, themed “Our Demarcation Is Our Climate,” denounced the ongoing delay in land titling and the political attacks on Indigenous rights. The second, “Without Demarcation, There Is No Democracy,” called attention to legislative rollbacks such as the Time Limit Thesis and PL 2903. Despite facing violent repression by police during both mobilizations, Indigenous leaders received strong messages of support from international allies and movements, including the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC), reaffirming global solidarity with their struggle.

During the ATL, two significant protests took place, each addressing critical issues for Indigenous communities. The first, “Apib Somos Todos Nós: Nosso Futuro Não Está à Venda” (“APIB: We Are All One: Our Future Is Not for Sale”), was a direct response to the growing threats against Indigenous Peoples rights in Brazil, particularly a new proposal by the Supreme Court that threatens to strip Indigenous Peoples of their veto power over economic activities on their ancestral lands. This draft bill, which seeks to open up indigenous territories to mining, hydroelectric plants, and roads, represents an unprecedented move in Brazilian history. 

Photo: Lu Santiago
Photo: Bianca Amaral
Photo: Juliana Duarte

The second protest, the “Marcha ‘A Resposta Somos Nós’” (“March: ‘We Are the Answer'”), was joined by diverse groups from Brazilian civil society, including Quilombolas, small-scale farmers, youth, and other grassroots movements. The march’s central message emphasized that the solutions to the climate crisis lie with the people on the ground — those whose livelihoods are directly tied to the environment. This message resonated beyond Brazil’s borders, aiming to unite movements globally on the road to COP30. The march ended with an unprovoked police crackdown on the demonstrators, an act that APIB condemned, reaffirming that their protest had been peaceful. 

In a major diplomatic moment, APIB, in partnership with the GATC and COIAB, hosted a high-level embassy meeting titled “We Are the Answer: Indigenous Visions for COP30.” Over 15 embassies participated, including Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Canada, and the European Union. This meeting was a significant step towards ensuring that Indigenous voices are not only heard but also included in the official climate negotiations. The goal is for COP30 to leave a lasting impact, one in which Indigenous participation is further entrenched in the results of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

APIB also announced the creation of the Indigenous International Commission for COP30, a historic step toward formalizing indigenous participation in global climate governance. The Commission will be led by Minister Sonia Guajajara and include representatives from APIB, COIAB, ANMIGA, the Amazonian G9, and the GATC.

“We are here in solidarity with Indigenous women in Brazil, we are here for the right to territory and life. We stand firm in our solidarity with the peoples of Brazil,” said Sara Omi, an Emberá leader from Panama and representative of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC)

The international presence at ATL 2025 was unprecedented, with leaders from Mexico, Panama, Ecuador, Australia and Fiji and other countries standing in solidarity with Brazil’s indigenous movement. The GATC delegation brought voices from across the world — emphasizing that Indigenous Peoples and local communities  are not only on the frontlines of the climate crisis, but also at the forefront of the solutions.

As APIB celebrates two decades of mobilizing for rights and territories, ATL 2025 has positioned Indigenous Peoples at the center of climate leadership, strengthening their collective voice on the road to COP30 in Belém.