Indigenous Leaders Demand Ceasefire and Policy Reform at Historic Peace Summit

Over 250 Indigenous representatives from seven regions gathered in New York for the 2nd Global Summit on Indigenous Peacebuilding. Held on April 25th and 26th, 2026, the event coincided with the International Women’s Day for Peace and Disarmament. Attendees included UN officials, diplomats, and members of Cultural Survival, who joined to discuss conflict resolution and honour Indigenous women’s roles in peace efforts. The summit began with a candle-lit ceremony to remember Indigenous relatives lost in conflicts. Participants prayed for lasting peace and shared personal accounts of displacement, violence, and resilience. Their testimonies highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by communities in war-torn regions.

Indigenous leaders demanded an immediate ceasefire in all occupied Indigenous territories. They urged the United Nations and governments to redesign global peace strategies, placing Indigenous knowledge and leadership at the centre. Binalakshmi Nepram, President of the Global Alliance of Indigenous Peoples, Gender Justice and Peace, stressed that Indigenous Peoples must be recognised as experts in peacebuilding, not just beneficiaries of aid. The two-day event celebrated Indigenous women’s contributions to conflict resolution. Discussions explored traditional peacebuilding methods and ways to integrate them into international policies. The full proceedings were streamed live on YouTube, allowing a global audience to follow the conversations.

The summit closed with a call for systemic change in how peace and security are approached worldwide. Indigenous representatives left with a unified demand: their voices must shape future policies. The outcomes of the event will be presented to UN bodies for further action.