For several years, Indigenous Peoples have requested the GEF to develop a formal policy and guidance related to engagement with Indigenous Peoples. Indigenous Peoples base these requests on a desire to ensure that their contributions to sustainable development and environmental protection continue to be recognized and promoted.

Indigenous Peoples have also expressed a desire for relevant intergovernmental organizations, such as the GEF, to continually update their operations and policies to align with evolving best practices with respect to the rights of Indigenous Peoples. Of particular importance to Indigenous Peoples is the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). In response to these requests, the GEF began a process of engagement with Indigenous Peoples to learn more and to respond effectively to their requests for the development of a framework for engagement between the GEF and Indigenous Peoples. As part of this consultative process, an Indigenous Peoples’ Task Force (IPTF)   to the GEF was established in July 2011 to provide feedback to the GEF Secretariat, including on options for enhancing the engagement and participation of Indigenous Peoples with the GEF and its operations. Several consultation workshops took place to gather this input.