#HLPF2025 | Eleanor Dictaan-Bang-oa, Indigenous Women Program of Tebtebba and the secretariat to the Asian Indigenous Women's Network , spoke during the side event ‘𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟑𝟎 𝐀𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚 𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐮𝐧𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠-𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐥 𝐆𝐥𝐨𝐛𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐢𝐨𝐝𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤’ to emphasize the powerful role #IndigenousPeoples—especially #IndigenousWomen—play in shaping a healthier, more equitable future. She highlighted how the KMGBF directly impacts Indigenous Peoples, linking biodiversity with critical Sustainable Development Goals (#SDGs) such as poverty reduction, education, health, and environmental resilience. Ellen called for meaningful implementation strategies, including direct funding mechanisms that empower Indigenous-led monitoring and review processes. She stressed the importance of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and the recognition of self-determined development pathways, calling on UN Member States and national governments to create respectful, inclusive partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and direct financing. Drawing attention to Target 22 and Article 8(j), she underscored the intrinsic connection between the respect for and protection of Indigenous Peoples' rights and conserving and suataining Indigenous lands, biodiversity, indigenous knowledge systems and practices. Alongside Ellen is H.E. Leonor Zalabata Torres, Permanent Representative of the Republic of Colombia to the United Nations in New York, who is a long time advocate for Indigenous peoples' rights. The side-event was Co-organized by UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Permanent Mission of Colombia to the UN in New York, and Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China. #WeAreIndigenous