New York— The upcoming Equator Prize Award Ceremony will celebrate 11 exceptional nature-based solutions spearheaded by Indigenous Peoples and local communities from around the globe. This prestigious event, part of UNDP's flagship Nature for Life Hub aims to inspire global action by placing nature at the forefront of sustainable development.

This year’s celebration will send a resounding message about the power of Indigenous and local leadership in addressing the climate crisis. Each awardee will receive a cash prize of $15,000 in recognition of their groundbreaking initiatives that effectively tackle pressing challenges related to biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable development. The winners hail from diverse regions, including Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia, Iran, Kenya, Morocco, Senegal, and Zambia, exemplifying the global commitment to nature-driven solutions.

"The 15th Equator Prize winners embody the hope and resilience that are essential for both people and the planet," stated Marcos Neto, UN Assistant Secretary General and Director of UNDP’s Bureau for Policy and Programme Support. 

 "Their innovative solutions highlight the vital role that Indigenous Peoples and local communities play in climate action. By protecting and restoring ecosystems—forests, mangroves, and marine habitats—they not only sequester carbon but also create pathways for climate adaptation and resilience. We must embrace the wisdom of Indigenous philosophies, which view all beings as interconnected and deserving of respect. This mindset is crucial for shaping a sustainable future where we thrive alongside nature, fostering a just transition for all."

Under the theme of ‘Nature for Climate Action,’ the Award Ceremony will feature winners in the categories of Nature for Climate Mitigation, Nature for a Just Transition, and Nature for Climate Adaptation and Resilience. Each winning community will deliver a statement to the audience, emphasizing the central role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in restoring the world’s ecosystems, transitioning to a green economy, and enhancing resilience to the impacts of climate change.

We are honored to welcome distinguished guests to the event, H.E. Ms. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, UN High-level Climate Champion for COP28 and IUCN President; and Francisco Vera Manzanares, a young human rights defender and climate activist from Colombia. Also joining us are Ida Elisabeth Hellmark from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) and Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, a Mbororo Indigenous environmental activist and Chair of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, who will serve as our master of ceremonies. Representatives from all 11 winning initiatives will also be present to celebrate this occasion.

Since its inception in 2002, the Equator Prize has celebrated 296 innovative nature-based solutions from more than 89 countries. Each initiative plays a vital role in protecting the environment, enhancing livelihoods, and addressing the climate crisis while promoting local sustainable development. This year's Equator Prize is made possible thanks to the generous continued support of the Governments of Norway and Germany, as well as the Sall Family Foundation and other Equator Initiative partners.

We invite you to watch the Equator Prize Award Ceremony on 3 October at 9:00 am EST on the Nature for Life Hub page or through the Equator Initiative’s YouTube and Facebook channels. You can also pre-register for the Nature for Life Hub here.

About the Equator Initiative

The Equator Initiative, a UNDP-led, multi-sectoral partnership that brings together governments, civil society, academia, businesses and grassroots organizations to recognize and advance local, nature-based sustainable development solutions for people, nature, and resilient communities. Its mission is to identify and advance outstanding local efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The Equator Initiative partnership offers a unique platform to celebrate success, inform global policymaking, and support local leadership in advancing innovative projects in sustainable development and climate issues.

About the winners

Access short summaries of the Equator Prize 2024 winners here. Videos about all winners available upon request. A recording of the event will be available at www.natureforlifehub.org.

Media inquiries: Sangita Khadka, Communications Specialist, UNDP Bureau for Policy and Programme Support, email: sangita.khadka@undp.org.