Indigenous peoples, and their traditional knowledge and sustainable resource management practices, have contributed effectively to safeguarding our global environment. Tragically, and despite their contributions to the global environment and to human culture, indigenous societies are disappearing at an unprecedented rate. Indigenous peoples worldwide continue to be vulnerable and suffer from devastating poverty, disease and discrimination.
Recognizing the important role of the Indigenous Peoples in protecting the global environment, GEF issued the Principles and Guidelines for Engagement of Indigenous Peoples, which reaffirm the GEF principles and further elaborate new guidelines that provide additional clarity and practical guidance on the application of the relevant policies - including those articulated in the GEF policy on Agency Minimum Standards on Environmental and Social Safeguards and the GEF policy on Public Involvement in GEF Projects - to GEF Partner Agencies and all stakeholders interested in GEF-financed projects.