Our project with UNESCO

Rainforest Organization is proud to present its cooperation project with UNESCO in order to promote the Xingu as international biosphere reserve:

In June 2023, the great tribal leader Raoni Metuktire and the leaders Tapi as well as Watatakalu Yawalapiti from the Indigenous territory of Xingu (TIX) were welcomed by President Emmanuel Macron at the Élysée Palace (https://www.rainforestorganization.org/post/a-successful-finish-to-the-international-tour-to-protect-amazon). On this occasion, the French President proposed to renew the aid initially provided by France in 2019 for the preservation of the Great Reserve of the Rio Xingu and its indigenous peoples.

Building on this commitment, Rainforest Organization France had the honour of presenting a new programme, developed by the Xingu Indigenous Territory community organizations to safeguard the indigenous cultures of the TIX and protect its cultural heritage to the French President during his State visit to Belém on 26 March 2024. The initiative for the recognition of the TIX as a UNESCO international biosphere reserve was born.

UNESCO international biosphere reserves are recognized as sites of excellence, which demonstrate a balanced relationship between people and nature while fostering best practices for the protection of Biodiversity.

UNESCO’s institutional support that was officialized with a letter of intent in May 2024 will ensure that the protection of Xingu's biodiversity aligns with UNESCO guidelines so as to facilitate its recognition as an official UNESCO international biosphere reserve.