Binational Meeting on Indigenous Territorial Protection of the Brazil - Peru Transboundary Region

*Participants of the fifth meeting of the Alto Tamaya - Yurúa - Juruá Transboundary Commission.*

From October 28th to 30th, the fifth meeting of the Alto Tamaya - Yurua - Jurúa Transboundary Commission was held at the Yorenka Tasorentsi Institute in Marechal Thaumaturgo, Acre, Brazil. This event brought together leaders from thirteen indigenous tribes of the Alto Tamaya, Yurúa, and Juruá regions.

Despite being one of the best-preserved areas of the Amazon on both sides of the border, this region faces serious threats from illegal logging, international drug trafficking, and infrastructure projects without prior consultation, including construction of a road between the logging town of Nueva Italia and the Yurua regions remote capital, Puerto Breu.

*Indigenous leader and UAC staff member Arlindo Ruiz explaining the legal rights of native communities.*

Several themes were discussed during the three-day meeting including unified, binational strategies for protecting indigenous territories, the importance of future cross-boundary meetings, and the critical role of women as conservation and Indigenous rights leaders.

One of the central points was the proposal to expand the Transboundary Commission as a space for debate and political coordination for the protection of territories and sustainable development in the region. Additionally, the installation of new surveillance and control posts at strategic points and the implementation of a communication system between communities and their organizations were proposed. There was also a call for funding for the georeferencing and demarcation of native communities.

During the event, experiences related to territorial protection were shared as were strategies for resisting violations of laws intended to protect the forest as well as Indigenous rights, and strengthening efforts to promote a just and sustainable future.

Indigenous leader and UAC community specialist, Maria Elena Paredes, shares crucial information about the risks and violations of environmental rights in the boundary region of Acre, Brazil and Ucayali, Peru.

Participants also denounced the lack of attention and the accelerated increase in illegal initiatives in the region over the last five years. The advance of of the narco mafia and organized crime, and threats to the lives of indigenous leaders and environmental defenders were also discussed at length.

Finally, the upcoming meeting of the Governors' Climate and Forests Task Force in 2024, which will take place in the city of Pucallpa, was discussed. The focus of the meeting will be to seek clarity on the states' intentions concerning indigenous territories, call for immediate actions, and request a meeting with the foreign affairs ministries of both countries to formulate a binational action plan with the active participation of indigenous communities.

Learn more by viewing this short VIDEO (in Spanish)