Indigenous Peoples from World’s Largest Forest Basins Unite in Brazzaville, Demand Global Recognition of Land Rights
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| Dr. Stefanus Masiun, representing AMAN and the Dayak Iban of Borneo, draped a handwoven syal Iban (Iban scarf) around the shoulders of Dr. Barume. Credit photo: Masiun. |
🌍 DAYAK TODAY | JAKARTA: Indigenous leaders and community representatives from the Amazon, Congo, Mesoamerica, and Borneo-Mekong forest basins convened for the first time in history at the Global Congress of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities from the Forest Basins, held May 26–30, 2025, in Brazzaville, Republic of the Congo.
The congress, which was officially opened by the Congolese Minister of Forestry and Economy and closed by President of the Republic of the Congo, marks a critical milestone in the global indigenous movement. These four forest regions, home to more than half of the world’s remaining tropical forests, are vital to regulating the Earth’s climate, preserving biodiversity, and sustaining the lives of hundreds of millions of people.
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More than a gathering, the congress became a powerful assertion of Indigenous sovereignty and a forum for pressing international concerns. Delegates spotlighted escalating threats to Indigenous territories: deforestation, climate instability, loss of biodiversity, and state and corporate encroachment—often accompanied by violence, criminalization, and displacement.
80% of Global Biodiversity Resides in Indigenous Lands
Data presented at the congress emphasized that 54 percent of the world’s intact forests are located within Indigenous territories, and roughly 80 percent of global biodiversity is found within those same lands. Yet, despite their indispensable role in forest conservation, Indigenous Peoples often lack legal recognition or face systemic marginalization.
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In a side meeting with the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Dr. Albert K. Barume, delegates from Indonesia’s Aliansi Masyarakat Adat Nusantara (AMAN) submitted a formal report documenting ongoing violations in the archipelago. The report included cases of intimidation, criminalization, and the unlawful seizure of customary territories in places like Kalimantan, Papua, and Sulawesi.
Rukka Sombolinggi, AMAN’s Secretary General and a prominent voice in the global Indigenous movement, led the delegation in the closed-door session. “Indigenous Peoples in Indonesia are criminalized for defending the land that has been theirs for centuries,” she stated. “We came here to make it clear to the world: our forests are not empty. They are alive—with people, language, knowledge, and governance.”
A Gesture of Honor and Solidarity: The Iban Syal Ceremony
In a moment that symbolized Indigenous unity across continents, Dr. Stefanus Masiun, representing AMAN and the Dayak Iban of Borneo, draped a handwoven syal Iban (Iban scarf) around the shoulders of Dr. Barume. The gesture, which took place on May 27, signified both respect and recognition of Barume’s efforts to champion Indigenous rights on the global stage.
Dr. Masiun, an economist and rector of the Keling Kumang Institute of Technology in West Kalimantan, has long advocated for economic models that respect Indigenous ecological values. “This is not just a symbol,” he said. “It is a bridge between customary law and international law, between our ancestral forests and the halls of the United Nations.”
Building on a Decade of Global Indigenous Solidarity
The congress builds on the foundation of the Global Alliance of Territorial Communities (GATC), established in 2014 in New York, uniting forest peoples from the world’s most vital ecosystems. AMAN was a founding member, alongside organizations representing Indigenous communities in the Amazon, Congo, and Mesoamerica.
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Over the past decade, the alliance has fought for direct climate financing to reach Indigenous territories—without bureaucratic intermediaries—and for policies that recognize customary tenure systems as legitimate legal frameworks.
These demands were once again raised in Brazzaville. Sessions included high-level strategy discussions on:
Strengthening legal recognition of Indigenous land rights across forest basins;
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Developing transparent, community-led mechanisms for climate finance disbursement;
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Enhancing women and youth leadership within Indigenous movements;
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Promoting cross-basin collaboration in environmental monitoring and policy advocacy.
The congress culminated in the drafting of the Brazzaville Declaration, a collective statement outlining Indigenous priorities for the upcoming global climate summits, including COP30 in Belém, Brazil.
From the Margins to the Frontlines
The historic gathering made one thing clear: Indigenous Peoples are no longer content to be invited guests at international forums—they are claiming their rightful place as primary actors in the global fight against ecological collapse.
“We are not just stakeholders,” said Sombolinggi in her closing remarks. “We are rights-holders. We are knowledge-holders. And we are the original custodians of these forests. Without us, there is no solution to the climate crisis.”
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As the world’s attention increasingly turns to climate action, the forests of the Amazon, Congo, Mesoamerica, and Borneo-Mekong—and the Indigenous Peoples who safeguard them—are poised to play a central role. Whether the international community will meet their demands, however, remains to be seen.
X-5/dayaktoday.com