At UNCCD COP17, the Indigenous Peoples High-Level Special Event: “From Sacred Lands to Shepherding the Future” will bring Indigenous leaders, knowledge holders, pastoralists, Parties, UN entities and partners together to advance a more inclusive and implementation-focused approach to sustainable land management, land restoration and drought resilience.

Across drylands, Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge systems, customary governance and land stewardship practices contribute to the sustainable management of ecosystems, biodiversity conservation and resilient livelihoods. The meeting will explore how these approaches can work alongside scientific knowledge and policy processes to strengthen action under the Convention.

The event also marks an important next step following COP16 — building on the first Indigenous Peoples High-Level Event, the Sacred Lands Declaration and Decision 5/COP16. A central focus will be continued operationalization of the Indigenous Peoples Caucus as a representative mechanism for sustained participation, knowledge exchange, implementation and institutional cooperation within UNCCD.

Discussions will also address partnerships and direct access to finance capable of supporting and scaling Indigenous-led solutions.