Cali — A friendly football match between Indigenous leaders from around the world and a team of local professional women soccer players took place yesterday in Cali, Colombia, to highlight the critical role of Indigenous Peoples in biodiversity conservation and climate action. 

The event, titled "The Match of Our Lives," happened during the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to engage world leaders, Indigenous Peoples, and football fans. It was organized by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Nia Tero in collaboration with the Dimayor (División Mayor del Fútbol Colombiano), the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity, If Not Us Then Who, the National Commission of Indigenous Territories of Colombia, The Tenure Facility and The Christensen Fund.

The event was supported by the COP16 participation and mobilization team of the Ministry of the Environment. 

Susana Muhamad, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development of Colombia and COP16 President took the opening kick of the match. “We cannot have peace with nature without indigenous people”, she told the cheering audience ahead of the game. 

Players shared the message “Score a Goal for Nature. Support Indigenous Peoples”. They will spotlight the vital contributions to environmental stewardship and advocate for the recognition of Indigenous rights and sovereignty in global conservation efforts.

A 2024 report on global biodiversity revealed an alarming 73% decline in the average size of monitored wildlife populations between 1970 and 2020. Together with rising global temperatures and diminishing ecosystems, humanity is now facing its greatest challenge yet.

As nature’s MVPs (Most Valuable Players), Indigenous Peoples guard and sustain approximately 40% of our planet’s intact ecosystems and landscapes. Their unique knowledge systems and practices are essential for the survival of ecosystems worldwide. Yet, a study presented in 2021 revealed that between 2011 and 2020, Indigenous Peoples and local communities received less than 1% of all environmental philanthropy.

The football event aligned with COP 16's overarching theme, "Peace with Nature," emphasizing a human rights-based approach to biodiversity protection.

Negotiators at COP 16 must ensure that relevant objectives and policies that support Indigenous Peoples, such as land tenure security, participation in climate and biodiversity decision-making, free, prior and informed consent for projects in their territories, and the protection of traditional knowledge, among others, are included in the Conference's outcomes.

"Football brings people together across the globe and we believe in the power of athletes and fans to effectively raise awareness about biodiversity loss around the world and the indispensable role of Indigenous Peoples’ Guardianship to protect ecosystems," said Margarita Mora, Nia Tero’s Senior Managing Director of Partnerships. "This initiative promotes Indigenous voices and fosters a deeper understanding of the interconnected challenges we face regarding climate change and biodiversity loss."

“COP16’s main message focuses on promoting peace with nature, positioning itself as the ‘COP of the People.’ The health of Mother Earth and human beings is essential, and we want to connect these messages through action with a football match that highlights the crucial role of Indigenous Peoples in protecting Mother Earth. The power and spirit of football will come together to show the world that our Indigenous systems, knowledge, and practices are key to conserving biodiversity”, said Ramiro Batzin (Maya Kaqchikel), co-president of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB).

“Indigenous Peoples have demonstrated for generations that we can live peaceably with nature, as part of nature. UNDP is committed to elevating the voice of people, especially Indigenous Peoples and local communities, as we believe that greater diversity in decision-making results in more inclusive, valuable insight, and more effective, enduring policymaking,” said Midori Paxton, Nature Director, United Nations Development Programme.  "Sport, and especially football, provides us with a common language, understandable around the world. I hope that this match offers an opportunity to carry beyond the walls of COP the message that making peace with nature is critical to achieving a sustainable future for all, and that the involvement of Indigenous Peoples is an important part of that.” 

“We, Indigenous Peoples, are the caretakers of life in all its manifestations, a mandate left to us by our elders for the protection of our territories. We preserve the seas, jungles, snow-capped mountains, forests, fresh and salt waters, savannahs, and moorlands. Protecting our territories and ensuring their legal and material security is key to continue honoring this duty that guides us as peoples," said Camilo Niño Izquierdo, Indigenous Secretary of the National Commission of Indigenous Territories of Colombia (CNTI).

 About NiaTero

Nia Tero is a US-based nonprofit working in solidarity with Indigenous peoples who sustain thriving territories and cultures to strengthen Indigenous guardianship of Earth and all beings. To learn more about the importance of Indigenous Peoples Guardianship for protecting biodiversity, access www.NiaTero.org/COP16 and watch the short film “Promise”.

For media enquiries please contact Valeree Nolasco, policyassociate@niatero.org.

About UNDP

UNDP works in 170 countries and territories to eradicate poverty while protecting the planet. UNDP helps countries develop strong policies, skills, partnerships, and institutions so they can sustain their progress. For more information about UNDP’s work on Nature, visit: www.undp.org/nature. 

For media enquiries please contact Josie.Raine@undp.org.