During the 17th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (COP17), held in Mongolia, APIB, together with APOINME (our grassroots political organization), hosted the panel “Indigenous perspectives on desertification: pathways to address land degradation and prolonged drought in Brazilian biomes”.
The event presented Indigenous perspectives on the spread of desertification and land degradation, as well as the effects of prolonged droughts on Brazilian biomes. The discussion focused particularly on the impacts on Indigenous territories, which face increasing pressure from deforestation, land grabbing, mining, the expansion of commodity supply chains, and the exploitation of water and other natural resources.
The panel was moderated by Danilo Tupinikim (APIB) and featured Bárbara Tupinikim, representing the Articulation of Indigenous Peoples and Organizations of the Northeast, Minas Gerais, and Espírito Santo (APOINME); Rute Anacé, from the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI); and Onel Inanadinia Masardule, a consultant for the International Indian Treaty Council.
Throughout the dialogue, participants emphasized that addressing desertification cannot be limited to technical or environmental solutions. For Indigenous peoples, this is also an agenda concerning rights, climate justice, territorial protection, and historical reparation.
Territorial degradation directly affects water sources, food production, biodiversity, and the continuity of traditional ways of life, knowledge, and practices. These impacts are exacerbated by economic activities that encroach upon biomes without respecting the territorial rights, cultures, and autonomy of Indigenous peoples. Among the pathways presented during the panel are the demarcation and effective protection of Indigenous lands, the strengthening of Indigenous territorial and environmental management, the provision of direct funding to Indigenous peoples, and the guarantee of consultation and free, prior, and informed consent regarding measures and projects that could affect their territories.
The panel also highlighted the need for traceability across all stages of commodity supply chains and the accountability of companies and economic activities involved in biome degradation and the violation of Indigenous rights.
The event brought together representatives from governments, Indigenous organizations, and civil society, as well as negotiators, researchers, funders, and international bodies involved in developing responses to desertification, drought, and land degradation.
By bringing these perspectives to COP17, the panelists shared the voices of Indigenous peoples, reaffirming that we should not be recognized merely as populations affected by the environmental crisis. Traditional knowledge, management practices, and distinct forms of territorial governance are essential for protecting water resources, restoring ecosystems, and building just, lasting responses to the climate crisis.
Strengthening the rights and leadership of Indigenous peoples is indispensable to tackling desertification and securing the world’s future.