Currently there are more than 370 million self-identified indigenous peoples in some 70 countries around the world. They have made relevant contributions to the world´s heritage thanks to their traditional understanding of ecosystem management. However, indigenous peoples are among the world´s most vulnerable, marginalized and disadvantaged groups in the world.

Indigenous peoples have repeatedly asked for a more systematic dialogue with United Nations agencies. In 2010, FAO released the "FAO Policy on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples", with the objective to provide guidance to the agency's various technical units and encourage staff in headquarters and in the regions, as well as staff in FAO representations, to engage more systematically and responsibly with indigenous peoples and their organizations.

José Graziano Da Silva, Director-General OF FAO, stated in occasion of the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples last year (9th August 2012):

FAO considers indigenous and tribal peoples, with their wealth of ancestral knowledge, key strategic partners in the fight against hunger. Their voices must be heard in order to find together a new balance between human needs and the needs of the planet, new mechanisms able to guarantee environmental and social justice, and new models of food production, distribution and consumption to relieve the pressure on natural resources and ensure to future generations the resources they will need to feed themselves.

The Civil Society team (OCPP) took the opportunity to interview some of the representatives and to ask their opinions about the work FAO is doing with the indigenous peoples. Please see this video to learn more: http://www.fao.org/partnerships/partners-home/civil-society/success-stories/en/