ASEAN countries largely lack comprehensive legal recognition for Indigenous Peoples, leading to the violations of rights enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other global frameworks, especially for Indigenous women and marginalized groups.

Indigenous Peoples, especially Indigenous women, act as vital stewards of lands, waters and resources and play a crucial role in environmental and biodiversity protection. At the same time, Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge, a vital resource for sustainable environmental governance, is marginalized and misrepresented.

Failures to recognize Indigenous Peoples’ rights have negative implications for environmental governance in the region, including exacerbated conflicts, rights violations, inequality, and missed opportunity for Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge.

Recognizing and defending Indigenous Peoples' rights in ASEAN is essential to ensure national governments recognize the vital role of Indigenous Peoples in protecting the environment and ensuring a clean, safe, healthy and sustainable environment for all.