The crucial role of traditional communities and the impacts of resource extraction and unchecked development on their cultures and lands are mirrored across diverse cultures and regions of the world.
The Indonesian region of Papua on the western half of New Guinea harbours some of the world’s most carbon-rich and biodiverse forests.
Indigenous Papuans, who make up most of Papua’s population, find everything they need in these forests – and work to safeguard them for future generations.

But Papua’s forests are also a target for logging, mining, and large-scale agriculture. Deforestation will have a devastating effect, not only on Indigenous Papuans and their descendants, but also on regional biodiversity and the global climate.
In 2024, Indigenous leaders across Indonesia united in action to push for change in Papua. With Tenure Facility’s support, partners mapped over 1 million hectares and secured governmental recognition of more than 500,000 hectares of Indigenous land. This included the largest territory to ever achieve recognition in the region, marking a major step toward protecting these ecosystems and communities for generations to come.