New research released on June 15, 2023, provides the most comprehensive review to date of the land area in 73 countries that is legally owned by or designated for Indigenous, Afro-descendant, and local communities, and how many more hectares of community land remain to be recognized. The analysis, compiled by researchers with the Rights and Resources Initiative (RRI), also estimates the area that could be recognized for communities through existing laws in 20 countries.

The report is published as scientists with the United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization express growing concern at the pace of global warming, reporting that for the first time ever, global temperatures are now more likely than not to breach 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming within the next five years due to the pace of environmental destruction.

Helpful reading:

Press release in English, Español, Français or Português
Read the report
Media advisory
Speaker bios
Latin America and Mesoamerica factsheet in English or Español
Global findings factsheet

This virtual press briefing presented the findings of the new report that assesses the areas legally designated for and owned by Indigenous Peoples, Afro-descendant Peoples, and local communities across 73 countries covering 85% of global lands.

Email Andrea Rizkallah ([email protected]) to request an interview.