MWE Correspondent
World leaders gathered in Belém, Brazil this week ahead of COP30 to announce a groundbreaking pledge to secure the land rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities across tropical forest nations.
The new initiative, known as the Intergovernmental Land Tenure Commitment (ILTC), sets an ambitious goal: to formally recognise 160 million hectares of Indigenous and community lands by the year 2030.
This landmark decision marks the first time that governments have joined forces on a global scale to strengthen land tenure and forest governance. The commitment is co-chaired by Brazil, Peru, and Norway under the Forest & Climate Leaders’ Partnership (FCLP). It represents a shared recognition that secure land rights are not just a matter of justice but a cornerstone of effective climate action.
Alongside the ILTC, more than 35 governments and philanthropic organisations announced a renewed five-year Forest and Land Tenure Pledge, promising $1.8 billion to support Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant groups, and local communities. The funds will be directed toward protecting forests, mangroves, and savannah ecosystems that play a crucial role in stabilising the global climate.
Experts say that empowering Indigenous Peoples and local communities is one of the most effective ways to combat deforestation. These communities manage around 40% of the world’s remaining intact ecosystems, yet less than half of their territories are legally recognised. According to studies by the World Resources Institute, forests managed by Indigenous communities experience far lower rates of deforestation compared to other areas.
Also Read; Farmers at the Heart of East Africa’s Green Transition
Brazil’s Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara, praised the agreement, saying the new pledge would help tropical forest countries make real progress in protecting both the planet and the people who depend on it. Brazil has already committed at least 59 million hectares of land toward this goal.
Levi Sucre Romero, a representative of the Mesoamerican Alliance of Peoples and Forests, welcomed the announcement but urged governments to ensure that financial support reaches communities directly—without unnecessary bureaucracy. “Promises alone cannot stop the deforestation, fires, and violence we face in our territories,” he warned. “Only real action will give us a chance to preserve the forests that protect the entire planet.”
The ILTC builds upon the success of the COP26 Land and Forest Tenure Pledge, which raised $1.7 billion and has already channelled nearly $1.9 billion to strengthen Indigenous land rights and protect forests. Over the past few years, the Forest Tenure Funders Group’s contributions have helped increase climate-related funding for Indigenous communities by 36%.
Norway’s Minister of Climate and Environment, Andreas Bjelland Eriksen, described the new commitment as a vital step toward reducing deforestation and promoting equality. “This is about social justice and about protecting forests that absorb and store carbon,” he said.
The initiative also aligns with efforts under the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, which aims to provide long-term, reliable funding for forest conservation—ensuring that 20% of resources go directly to Indigenous and local communities.
By 2030, the ILTC seeks to strengthen governance systems, reform land policies, and secure access to finance for communities that have long been excluded from climate funding. With tropical forest loss hitting record levels in 2024, the commitment sends a powerful message that protecting Indigenous territories is central to achieving global climate and biodiversity goals.
