Global Pledge to Secure Land Rights for Forest Communities

A global commitment involves 12 countries pledging to recognize land rights across 80 million hectares for Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and other communities by 2030. Funders, including Germany and 35 charities, support the $1.8 billion initiative. However, challenges in implementation due to bureaucracy and competing land claims persist.

Nations globally have vowed to formally recognize land rights spanning 80 million hectares by 2030 for Indigenous and other communities living in vital tropical forests, aiming to curb deforestation.

The initiative, declared as the Intergovernmental Land Tenure Pledge, includes signatories like Brazil and Indonesia. With a $1.8 billion backing, the pledge seeks to bolster land conservation by recognizing rights.

Indigenous leaders acknowledge the pledge's potential but highlight practical execution barriers due to bureaucracy and land disputes. Brazil's emphasis on social justice and carbon storage underscores the move's urgency.

(With inputs from agencies.)