On the concluding day of the International Conference” Vicki Tauli-Corpuz” Executive Director of TEBTEBBA” delivered a keynote address summarizing the lessons from the week” and identifying what needs to be done moving forward to advance tenure reform – globally and in Indonesia.

Minister Kuntoro's presentation on Tuesday morning signaled that Indonesia has come to an important new understanding of the key issues and challenges facing Indonesia” some of which include that less than 0.1% forests are under community tenure” and that there are some 50 – 60 million people in Indonesia's forests with unrecognized rights.

In her keynote” Ms. Tauli-Corpuz identified the new approaches that are needed to curb forest loss” prevent conflict” secure livelihoods” reduce poverty” sequester carbon and protect biodiversity.

These new approaches should consist of:

•    Recognizing” respecting and protecting people’s rights
•    Gazetting the forests in an inclusive and participatory way that recognizes and secure these rights
•    Reforming laws on forests” lands” plantations and spatial planning to affirm these rights

“This conference has given me a better sense of whom we can rely on for support”” said Ms. Tauli-Corpuz. “Indigenous peoples’ movements at the local” national” regional and global levels are becoming stronger as they get more information constantly meet and exchange experiences with each other and gather more political” technical and financial support.”

The full keynote address can be read here.