The following is the official statement delivered by the IPAS Fund during the 24th Session of the UNPFII, under Agenda Item 5(g): Thematic Dialogue on the Financing and Participation of Indigenous Peoples across Multilateral and Regional Systems.
Statement by Indigenous Peoples of Asia Solidarity Fund
The Indigenous Peoples of Asia play a vital role in protecting ecosystems, promoting sustainable development, and safeguarding cultural heritage for generations. Yet, despite these contributions, we face persistent and systemic barriers in accessing financial resources. Less than 1% of global climate finance reaches Indigenous communities—and Asia receives the smallest portion of that already limited support even if ⅔ of Indigenous Peoples are in Asia.
To address this inequity, the Indigenous Peoples of Asia Solidarity Fund, or IPAS, was established in 2023. It is a groundbreaking initiative—designed and governed by and for Indigenous Peoples —to ensure resources reach those most in need. Through a governance structure across 13 countries, IPAS is addressing the barriers posed by restrictive policies, capacity constraints, and language exclusion.
Based on a baseline survey IPAS conducted, covering 433 Indigenous organizations in 13 countries across the region, there is chronic underfunding of Indigenous-led initiatives: nearly half operate without paid staff, surviving through the efforts of volunteers and local contributions. Organizations receiving grants are confronted with challenges such as donor-imposed requirements, complex reporting demands, restrictive government laws, and the absence of banking infrastructure—particularly in remote communities. IPAS is investing in capacity-building efforts to support strategic fundraising and donor compliance.
Still, our organizations demonstrate remarkable resilience—mobilizing local resources, sustaining cultural initiatives, defending land rights, and responding to climate change with little external support.
Yet we must ask: how much more could we do if properly resourced?
The survey highlights a collective funding need of over $43 million USD per year with priority areas including capacity building, legal advocacy, women’s empowerment, and climate resilience. These findings are not just data—they are a call to action.
Today, we present three urgent recommendations:
- Support direct funding to Indigenous communities. In particular, we call upon the Green Climate Fund to take action on the establishment of a specific window for Indigenous Peoples under the fund as soon as possible as per the recommendation of the Independent Evaluation Unit. We also call upon the UNFCCC COP 30 President to fully support this urgent recommendation. IPAS offers a trusted pathway to deliver flexible, long-term, and substantial resources directly to Indigenous Peoples and their organizations in Asia. We invite donors to stand with us in reshaping financial support that honors Indigenous leadership.
- Address structural barriers. Many Indigenous organizations in Asia are restricted by laws that prevent them from receiving international funds or gaining legal recognition. We urge member states to remove these obstacles. Further, Financial access must never be weaponized against human rights defenders.
- Adapt funding requirements to Indigenous realities. Donor application formats and financial reporting processes remain inaccessible to many Indigenous organizations. Thus, donors to simplify processes and align them with Indigenous Peoples’ needs and priorities
The time for change is now. Let us move beyond symbolic commitments and build true solidarity—by investing in Indigenous-led solutions, dismantling barriers to justice, and ensuring Indigenous Peoples have the resources to thrive.
