Primary forests are among the most biodiverse and ecologically valuable ecosystems on Earth. They regulate the climate, store vast amounts of carbon, sustain freshwater systems, and provide habitat for countless species. These forests are also fundamental to achieving global biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development goals. Yet primary forests continue to face mounting pressures from deforestation, land conversion, infrastructure development, and unsustainable resource extraction. Their conservation also contributes to the UN Strategic Plan for Forests and Global Forest Goal 1 on reversing forest cover loss.

For generations, Indigenous Peoples have sustained deep cultural, spiritual, and ecological relationships with their lands and forests. Many Indigenous territories contain some of the world's most intact and biologically rich forest landscapes, and Indigenous knowledge systems, governance institutions, and stewardship practices have contributed significantly to their conservation and sustainable management. These knowledge systems offer valuable insights for maintaining ecosystem integrity, strengthening resilience to climate change, and supporting biodiversity conservation.

Despite their critical contributions, Indigenous leaders and communities often remain underrepresented in environmental decision-making processes and are not always adequately recognized for their role in conserving forests and biodiversity. There is growing international recognition that achieving the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Global Forest Goals, and other global environmental commitments requires enhanced recognition of Indigenous Peoples' rights, leadership, knowledge systems, and meaningful, full and effective participation.

In response, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat (UNFFS), and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) are launching the Indigenous Peoples Ambassadors for Primary Forests Programme. The initiative seeks to recognize exceptional Indigenous leaders who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to primary forest conservation, Indigenous stewardship, cultural continuity, community leadership, and environmental justice.

The programme will identify and recognize Indigenous leaders from different regions of the world whose work exemplifies the essential role of Indigenous Peoples in protecting primary forests and sustaining the ecological and cultural values they provide. Beyond recognition, the programme aims to create opportunities for Indigenous leaders to exchange experiences, share knowledge and lessons learned, strengthen networks, and engage with global policy and conservation processes. Through storytelling, media outreach, policy engagement, and global visibility, the programme will amplify Indigenous voices while showcasing the contributions of Indigenous Peoples, the GEF, IUCN, UNFF, and other partners in advancing a whole-of-society approach to forest conservation, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development.

This side event will provide a unique opportunity not only to recognize Indigenous leaders as ambassadors for primary forests, but also to foster dialogue, mutual learning, and collaboration among Indigenous Peoples and key stakeholders, while demonstrating how collective action across society can support the conservation of the world's remaining primary forests.

Objectives

The side event will:

• Officially announce and recognize the first cohort of Indigenous Peoples Ambassadors for Primary Forests.
• Provide a platform for ambassadors from different regions to exchange experiences, share knowledge, and discuss common challenges and opportunities related to primary forest conservation.
• Showcase the work and achievements of the ambassadors and the communities they represent in protecting primary forests and sustaining their ecological, cultural, and social values.
• Celebrate Indigenous leadership, stewardship, and knowledge systems as essential contributions to global biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development goals.
• Highlight the role of the GEF, IUCN, UNFF, Indigenous Peoples' organizations, governments, civil society, and other partners in supporting Indigenous-led conservation through a whole-of-society approach.
• Promote dialogue among governments, Indigenous Peoples, international organizations, donors, and civil society on strengthening support for Indigenous-led conservation and meaningful participation in environmental governance.

Expected outcomes

• Increased global visibility of Indigenous leadership in primary forest conservation.
• Recognition of exemplary Indigenous leaders as ambassadors for primary forests and champions of Indigenous stewardship.
• Enhanced exchange of experiences, knowledge, and good practices among Indigenous leaders from different regions.
• Greater awareness of the importance of Indigenous knowledge systems, governance institutions, and stewardship for biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
• Increased visibility of the contributions of the Indigenous Peoples' organizations, GEF, IUCN, UNFF and other partners in advancing inclusive and collaborative conservation efforts.
• Strengthened partnerships and support for Indigenous-led forest conservation initiatives through a whole-of-society approach.
• Enhanced momentum for inclusive implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and related international commitments.
• Pathways for Ambassadors to contribute to relevant forest biodiversity policy dialogues and partnerships building on the COP17 outcomes