Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge and ecosystem management practices are recognized by the GEF as highly relevant for protection of the global environmental commons, environmental management, sustainable development, and increased resilience. The GEF sees Indigenous Peoples as distinct communities whose identity and culture are inextricably linked to the land, territories and natural resources they depend upon. Through its operations and policies, the GEF supports the realization of the provisions of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.