News Releases

Direct Access for Indigenous Peoples Is Key to the Effectiveness of the Tropical Forests Forever Facility

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New York, 7 November 2025– The Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) was officially launched yesterday during the COP30 Leaders Summit in BelĂ©m, Brazil. The TFFF is an ambitious proposal from the Brazilian government to establish a lasting financial mechanism for forest protection.

Following Brazil’s initial contribution, Portugal and Norway have announced their pledges so far, while nearly 50 countries have expressed support for the initiative—representing a strong and encouraging beginning that reflects new global momentum for collective action to protect and restore the world’s forests. 

As this initiative takes shape, it will be essential to ensure that the TFFF delivers on its promise. In particular, for the component that allocates 20% of country funding to Indigenous peoples and local communities, appropriate institutional arrangements must be established — including the creation of a Global Executing Agency, inclusive national steering committees, legitimate Indigenous and local community implementing agencies, and culturally appropriate monitoring mechanisms.

“Rainforest Foundation US welcomes the launch of the Tropical Forests Forever Facility as a promising step toward a more predictable and sustained model of climate finance,” said Joshua Lichtenstein, Policy Director at Rainforest Foundation US. “To be truly effective, such mechanisms must ensure that Indigenous peoples and local communities, those who have safeguarded tropical forests for generations, have direct access to the resources they need to protect their territories and our planet.”

The TFFF aims to provide countries with steady, long-term payments for verified forest protection results, moving beyond annual donor pledges toward a self-sustaining system. Its model combines about US$25 billion in public funding with US$100 billion in private investment raised through the sale of bonds. To date, the fund has received commitments totaling US$5.5 billion. Read more here

News Releases

Direct Access for Indigenous Peoples Is Key to the Effectiveness of the Tropical Forests Forever Facility

RFUS in the Press

Climate finance must reach Indigenous communities at COP30 & beyond (Commentary published by Mongabay)

RFUS in the Press

Deeper Amazon | 3. The Watchers, the River, and the Opportunists (Podcast in Spanish by Radio Ambulante)

Stories

Building a Fairer Forest Finance System: Indigenous Leadership in the Tropical Forests Forever Facility 

Stories From the Ground

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