Historic result for Indigenous local governments in Colombia

Years of fighting for Indigenous governance in courtrooms, meeting rooms, and the streets have finally brought about a historic result. Late Monday night, Indigenous leaders and the government in Colombia agreed on the formalization of Indigenous Local Governments (Entidades Territoriales Indigenas). A new decree was signed defining the responsibilities and rights of those entities, similar to the functions of municipalities and governorships in Colombia.

In Colombia, the Indigenous Territorial Entities are recognized at the constitutional level, but it has taken 34 years to establish a legal instrument that operationalizes these indigenous subnational governments.

“This is a crucial step in the right direction. For the first time, Indigenous Peoples in Colombia will see their rights to govern and manage their territories and for this to be formally recognized and institutionalized,” said David Florez, Senior Policy Advisor at Rainforest Foundation Norway.

Flórez participated in the multi-day meeting that concluded on Monday evening. Together with Indigenous organizations such as OPIAC and other strategic allies, Rainforest Foundation Norway has, over the past seven years, accompanied Indigenous representatives and their organizations, who have led the process from their territories to formalize Indigenous local governments.

Now, their goal of seeking recognition as a legitimate form of territorial governance and a concrete expression of autonomy has become a reality.

Indigenous governance of 40% of the Colombian Amazon

The indigenous peoples of the Colombian Amazon have initiated 22 formalization processes for these sub-national governments, which cover 40% of the Colombian Amazon, which is almost 18 million hectares.

This will change the landscape of the Colombian Amazon and create long-term barriers to deforestation. It will also strengthen Indigenous peoples’ rights and agency in Colombia after years of neglect by the national government.

The first Indigenous Local Governments are expected to be formalized in the next few days.

Equal to other Colombian municipalities

Colombia is one of the most progressive countries on IP land rights. This has been translated into important areas being recognized as Indigenous territories, such as Cabildos and ATIS.

However, the newly signed decree (0488 2025) will enable the creation of local governments with functions and rights in line with municipalities. Former key steps taken include Decree 632 on Indigenous Local Governments and Decree recognizing Indigenous peoples’ role as environmental authorities signed leading up to COP16 last year.

Leading the way for other nations

Globally, Indigenous peoples struggle with the recognition of their land rights and autonomy, even if this is widely recognized in international law, such as the ILO Convention 169 and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).

The formalization of the local governments for Indigenous Peoples in the Colombian Amazon is not only a significant step forward within Colombia but is also a groundbreaking example of how Indigenous land rights should be recognized and secured globally.

This milestone offers a powerful precedent for shaping international guidelines and safeguards that fully acknowledge the contributions and solutions Indigenous territories bring to addressing the climate crisis.

“In this light, global targets such as the 30x30 goal of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework gain new meaning and legitimacy. They are rooted not just in conservation metrics but in the living governance, knowledge, and rights of Indigenous Peoples whose territories are among the most biodiverse and best preserved in the world,” said David Florez.