Event Title: GCF Global Conference on Indigenous Peoples
Venue: Incheon, Republic of Korea
Date: 8-10 April 2026
Distinguished Indigenous brothers and sisters, esteemed colleagues from the GCF secretariat led by Mafalda and her distinguished colleagues who are here, National Designated Authorities, representatives of different ministries and governments, accredited entities, ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Ammay ay orkiw taku am-in.
Please allow me to begin by taking a moment to reflect on the journey of Indigenous Peoples within the Green Climate Fund. As we do so, we can truly appreciate how far we have come, while also recognizing the significant work that still remains to be done.
Twelve years ago, when Indigenous Peoples first participated in the GCF board meeting, we would attend board meetings and count how many times Indigenous Peoples were mentioned—sometimes just a single mention, sometimes none. I recall one meeting where Indigenous Peoples were mentioned only twice, by a single board member.
Fast forward to 2018, when the Indigenous Peoples Policy of the GCF was adopted—a milestone achieved through the concerted efforts of Indigenous organizations worldwide. 180 IP organizations signed the call for a stand-alone Indigenous Peoples policy. We had the strong backing of the observer network of CSOs, local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and champions within the secretariat, including the late Leonardo Paat, who was our close ally in the secretariat as the then safeguard specialist when the GCF was developing the IP policy, board members, and accredited entities.
Today, eight years after this historic policy, we gather here— the first time in GCF history— to define a framework for Indigenous Peoples' access to the resources of the Fund, from diverse regions where the GCF operates.
This is a momentous occasion, as the GCF celebrates ten years of impact on the ground as it reflects areas for improvement. Next year also marks the GCF replenishment, where countries will pledge new resources. Recently, the Board selected host countries for new regional offices around the world, reflecting the Fund’s growth. We envision similar growth and strengthening of partnerships with Indigenous Peoples.
The Fund aspires to manage a capitalization of USD 50 billion by 2030. We must ask ourselves: what is the equitable share of Indigenous Peoples in this vision? The Independent Evaluation Unit’s recommendation to create a dedicated window is clear—current modalities fall short of delivering the benefits Indigenous Peoples deserve.
In my community and I am sure, in many other indigenous Peoples community, there is a practice called changas. Changas is when the community would work all together to help one person or family construct their own house. They will bring their own tools, food or even construction materials to help a person construct the house. At the end of the day of construction, at the end of the day, the neighbors would gather around the fire, which we call ap-puy- a seemingly insignificant act of gathering, but it is always imbued with a sense of solidarity, shared purpose, and lasting impact.
This conference is much like a changas. We are the neighbors who came from different parts of the world but we are creating our shared house – a dedicated IP arrangement within the GCF. It is a not work for just one person and that is why we are all here- to contribute, to bring our expertise and help design and construct that house together.
I invite you, brothers and sisters … and our friends, over these next three days—and beyond— pragmatic: what can we do in the short, medium, and long term? Yet I also urge us to be bold in envisioning Indigenous Peoples’ climate ambition within the GCF. What will success look like ten years from now?
So let’s get to work and get that house done.
[Image of Helen Biangalen-Magata from GCF reel]