Inspiring Pathways to 2030 and Beyond: A Transformative and Forward-looking Roundtable Storytelling

Indigenous Peoples and local communities are a formidable force in resilience-building.  This roundtable will showcase their leadership in transformational, regenerative, and sustainable solutions, inspiring us with their values and knowledge systems.

Asia Pacific is home to approximately 260 million Indigenous Peoples, each with unique cultures, languages, and histories. Their deep environmental knowledge, traditional practices, and sustainable resource management have significantly contributed to reducing disaster risks, strengthening resilience, and addressing climate change. These contributions are increasingly recognized as vital to global resilience efforts.

Recognizing the leadership roles of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, the UNDRR and the UNFCCC are organizing a partner event at the 2024 APMCDRR to:
•    Hear how Indigenous Peoples are leading sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.
•    Be inspired by stories of biodiversity preservation through sustainable agriculture, forest management, and water conservation.
•    Learn how Indigenous knowledge of microclimates and seasonal patterns is essential for adapting to changing weather and reducing risks.
•    Discover how Indigenous knowledge of natural signs and indicators enhances early warning systems and disaster preparedness.
•    Explore traditional Indigenous architecture that demonstrates climate-resilient design, informing modern risk reduction strategies.
•    Know how eco-friendly livelihoods like handicrafts, sustainable tourism, and organic farming reduce dependency on destructive industries.

Indigenous Peoples are leading global resilience efforts with their holistic environmental understanding, Indigenous values, and sustainable practices. Integrating their knowledge into policies and actions at all levels is essential for building a resilient and sustainable future.

Speakers’ Names, Titles and Organisations

Indigenous Peoples in the Asia Pacific region
•    Representatives from the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP)
•    Representatives from Tebtebba 
•    Anish Shrestha