Natural resources management and access to and control over resources are identified as a critical concern faced by indigenous peoples throughout Asia. To address this, UNDP Regional Indigenous Peoples’ Programme (RIPP) conducted analytical studies on natural resources systems and their interface with national laws and policies in Bangladesh, Cambodia, Malaysia and Thailand.

Consultations carried out with indigenous communities, governments, NGOs and academics have enriched and informed the studies and enabled the inclusion of a wide range of perspectives. This regional synthesis paper draws on the country assessments to identify gaps in policy and practice, and compiles key recommendations for further work on this issue.