The Amazon is one of Earth’s greatest living systems, sustaining the air we breathe, the water cycles we depend on, and an extraordinary web of life. At this pivotal moment, as the forest and its peoples face growing pressures, we are choosing to come together with purpose and optimism. The Amazon Investor Coalition, Rainforest Foundation US, Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance, and the UNDP Forest Guardians Bioeconomy Accelerator are partnering with Indigenous and local leaders to scale territorial solutions. Together, they are aligning resources and deepening collaboration to ensure a thriving Amazon for future generations. Together, we have the opportunity and responsibility to invest in a future where forests stand, communities prosper, and the Amazon continues to sustain life on Earth.
shared tenets
Securing Indigenous Land Rights to Protect the Amazon
Securing Indigenous Peoples’ collective land rights and strengthening local communities' territorial tenure are foundational to protecting the Amazon.Indigenous Peoples hold inherent, collective rights to their ancestral territories, while local communities depend on secure and enforceable land tenure to sustain their livelihoods and steward forests. Where these rights and tenure systems are legally recognized, protected, and enforced under the rule of law, deforestation declines, biodiversity is conserved, and climate stability is strengthened.
Strengthening Self-Governance and Territorial Authority
Lasting forest protection requires strong Indigenous and community‑led governance systems. Donor investments that strengthen leadership, institutions, territorial management, and accountability enable Indigenous Peoples and local communities to govern their lands, prevent illegal activities, and sustain conservation outcomes over time. Flexible, trusted, and context‑appropriate financing, whether accessed directly or through accountable intermediaries, reduces risk, increases effectiveness, and ensures long‑term stewardship beyond project cycles.
Building and Scaling Regenerative Forest Economies for Climate, Biodiversity and Livelihoods
Indigenous‑ and community‑led regenerative economies are critical to keeping forests standing. By investing in bioeconomy models rooted in Indigenous knowledge and territorial stewardship, donors help create viable livelihood alternatives to deforestation and illegal extraction. These investments strengthen economic sovereignty, sustain conservation gains, and generate scalable benefits for climate mitigation, biodiversity protection, and community resilience.
WORK IN ACTION
