GCF hosts first Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group meeting
The Green Climate Fund (GCF) takes mainstreaming the voices of indigenous peoples into its operations a step further by hosting the first Indigenous People’s Advisory Group (IPAG) meeting on 26-28 September 2022.
Organised by the GCF Secretariat and chaired by Tunga Bhadra Rai, Director of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN), the meeting provided a direct avenue for IPAG members to have dialogues with GCF’s operational and programming teams, as well as GCF’s Independent Evaluation Unit. This presented opportunities to share knowledge, address process gaps, and open opportunities for bolstering indigenous peoples’ consultative capacity in GCF’s projects.
“This meeting is a big statement that the Green Climate Fund is serious about working with indigenous peoples. We have moved from just being a stakeholder in the governing instrument to being a constituency that has a dedicated policy,” said Kimaren Ole Riamit, Maasai leader and Director of the Indigenous Livelihoods Enhancement Partners (ILEPA).
![IPAG members who attended on-site were Kimaren Ole Riamit, Helen Biangalen-Magata, Juan Carlos Jintiach, and Tunga Bhadra Rai (IPAG-1 meeting Chair). Balkisou Buba and Viviana Figueroa joined virtually](https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline2.jpg?itok=P_DeMYU- 576w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline2.jpg?itok=PdxRf0G8 768w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline2.jpg?itok=w_DRI2Kq 992w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/extralarge/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline2.jpg?itok=8wP76zuj 1280w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/retina/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline2.jpg?itok=52ItI5Dx 2560w)
IPAG members who attended on-site were Kimaren Ole Riamit, Helen Biangalen-Magata, Juan Carlos Jintiach, and Tunga Bhadra Rai (IPAG-1 meeting Chair). Balkisou Buba and Viviana Figueroa joined virtually
Ensuring safeguarded climate programmes, scaling up of nature-based solutions with regard to indigenous knowledge, and proactive support and inclusion of indigenous peoples in GCF’s decision-making were major areas of discussion. Key meeting points also included aligning on investment priorities and enhanced collaboration with GCF, especially on strategic interventions for forests, ecosystems, and land use.
“This first meeting is truly a historic and meaningful milestone for GCF. It’s a privilege and honour to benefit from the advice and wisdom of indigenous leaders and experts,” said Tiffany Hodgson, GCF Environmental and Social Safeguards, Gender and Indigenous Peoples Manager.
The productive three-day meeting saw the articulation of the IPAG multi-year workplan that outlines advice on activities affecting indigenous peoples, defines practical steps in implementing and monitoring GCF’s Indigenous Peoples Policy, and provides other guidance, as may be requested by the GCF Board.
In accordance with its Indigenous Peoples Policy, GCF has established the IPAG to enhance coordination between GCF, Accredited Entities and Executing Entities, governments, and indigenous peoples in relation to matters concerning indigenous peoples. The first term of the IPAG runs from January 2022 to December 2024.
![IPAG members with staff from GCF’s Office of Risk Management and Compliance. From left: Veronica Gonzalez Gonzalez, Tiffany Hodgson, Kimaren Ole Riamit, Helen Biangalen-Magata, Juan Carlos Jintiach, Tunga Bhadra Rai, Jennifer Rubis, Seulbee Jung](https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline1.jpg?itok=ehiyD4My 576w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline1.jpg?itok=ttu3zGir 768w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline1.jpg?itok=bdpfkfUy 992w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/extralarge/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline1.jpg?itok=_JwKFb8I 1280w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/retina/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline1.jpg?itok=s4rwcoiN 2560w)
IPAG members with staff from GCF’s Office of Risk Management and Compliance. From left: Veronica Gonzalez Gonzalez, Tiffany Hodgson, Kimaren Ole Riamit, Helen Biangalen-Magata, Juan Carlos Jintiach, Tunga Bhadra Rai, Jennifer Rubis, Seulbee Jung
The GCF Secretariat and IPAG members acknowledge the foundational work of the late Leo Paat, GCF’s first Environment and Social Safeguards, Gender and Indigenous Peoples Manager. He led the development of GCF's Environment and Social Standards, Gender Policy, and Indigenous Peoples Policy.
![](https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline3.jpg?itok=OL8XsQX_ 576w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline3.jpg?itok=bLo8hBEE 768w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline3.jpg?itok=i5giCPW3 992w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/extralarge/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline3.jpg?itok=kD0373so 1280w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/retina/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline3.jpg?itok=bBOOFbEn 2560w)
Helen Biangalen-Magata, representative of indigenous Kadaclan from Paracelis, Mountain Province, Philippines and Communications Officer of Tebtebba Foundation (Indigenous Peoples’ International Centre for Policy, Research and Education).
![](https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline6.jpg?itok=ayqWKgp- 576w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline6.jpg?itok=vquAguYC 768w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline6.jpg?itok=BgiY1Fcj 992w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/extralarge/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline6.jpg?itok=-31papu6 1280w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/retina/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline6.jpg?itok=7hh7J-aT 2560w)
Juan Carlos Jintiach represents the Shuar, an indigenous group in the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador. He has served as a Parliamentary advisor in the Republic of Ecuador’s National Congress.
![](https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline5.jpg?itok=yRw4aU70 576w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline5.jpg?itok=baSY4Rb5 768w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline5.jpg?itok=KffPV-WA 992w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/extralarge/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline5.jpg?itok=dDU-NRXC 1280w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/retina/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline5.jpg?itok=8jQE3xVv 2560w)
Kimaren Ole Riamit is an indigenous leader from the Maasai representing the African Anglophone region. He is the Founding Director of the Indigenous Livelihoods Enhancement Partners (ILEPA).
![](https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/small/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline4.jpg?itok=kmZkcHpM 576w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline4.jpg?itok=9hbdORYz 768w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline4.jpg?itok=QETNEUxh 992w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/extralarge/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline4.jpg?itok=NH3muJXQ 1280w, https://www.greenclimate.fund/sites/default/files/styles/retina/public/article/image-ipag-news-inline4.jpg?itok=Mmna8_ps 2560w)
Tunga Bhadra Rai belongs to the Rai Indigenous Nationality of Nepal. He is the Director of Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities (NEFIN) Climate Change Partnership Program.