Indigenous Peoples have invaluable and critical contributions to make in addressing climate change around the world. The Tracker, the IEU evaluation, and IPAG's responses converge on a clear and urgent conclusion: while GCF support and leadership in promoting Indigenous engagement have made commendable strides, significant structural and systemic changes are still required. The establishment of a dedicated Indigenous Peoples window is not only an acknowledgment of these shortcomings but a crucial step toward ensuring real and lasting inclusion, empowerment, and partnership. Indigenous Peoples are ready to play their role; it is now essential that the GCF implements the recommendations of the Evaluation and ensures that Indigenous rights, priorities, and knowledge are fully integrated into its operations.

Without the establishment of a dedicated Indigenous Peoples’ window, the GCF risks perpetuating a cycle where Indigenous Peoples are marginalized within climate finance structures that are meant to empower them. A fundamental shift is needed to ensure that Indigenous Peoples are not only included but are key partners and actors in the fight against climate change.

Tebtebba released on March 25, 2025 the publication on the report on the national survey on the state of affairs of Indigenous Peoples in the country, based on a framework that was developed by Indigenous Peoples.  

The Indigenous Navigator (IN) framework and tools establishes the crucial links between the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP),  the Sustainable Development Goals and the outcomes of the World Conference on Indigenous Peoples. The survey national survey was based on available and verifiable data from government agencies, non-government organization and international agencies over the last five (5) years.  The survey started in December 2023 and ended in December 2024.

The publication reveals a mix of pleasant and concerning results.  According to Dr. Raymundo D. Rovillos,  current the president of a community college in north-central Philippines and the national coordinator of IN-Philippines,  “the Philippine State has been implementing the UNDRIP through its national framework, the IPRA, which resembles, in spirit and content, the UNDRIP.  This national survey finds that there have been significant milestones and outcomes in the four (4) bundle of rights since the enactment of the IPRA in 1997.”  He however adds that “at the same time, there are also continuing actual and potential threats to and violations of these very same rights.”