Date & Time
May 29 - 30, 2025 ET
Indigenous economic autonomy is essential to the long-term sustainability and selfdetermination of Indigenous Peoples. For generations, indigenous communities have developed economic systems rooted in reciprocity, redistribution, complementarity, and collective well-being. These systems preserve cultural heritage while fostering local resilience, social equity, and economic autonomy.
Despite their strengths, indigenous economic models often face systemic barriers that limit their growth and sustainability, including lack of access to finance for business growth. This two-day global conference will offer a platform for knowledge exchange, dialogue, and collaboration among indigenous leaders, policymakers, financial institutions, and development practitioners.
Where: World Bank, C Building C1-450, Washington DC.
Via Zoom: May 29 | Register here
May 30 | Register here
Time: 9:00 A.M. Washington, DC Time
- OVERVIEW
- AGENDA
- RELATED
Indigenous economic autonomy is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability and self-determination of indigenous peoples. For generations, indigenous peoples have developed economic systems rooted in reciprocity, redistribution, complementarity, environmental stewardship, and collective well-being1. These systems not only preserve cultural heritage but also play an important role in safeguarding ecosystems essential for achieving well-being. However, indigenous peoples often face systemic barriers that undermine their capacity to maintain and expand these autonomous economic models.
In this context, knowledge exchange among indigenous peoples is crucial for fostering both indigenous business growth and economic autonomy. This conference provides a platform for sharing global strategies and lessons learned, enabling indigenous peoples to share their unique knowledge, develop solutions based on proven models, and adapt them to their specific contexts, while fostering solidarity and collective progress. Through this collaborative approach, capacity-building is strengthened, and the interconnected roles of economic autonomy, indigenous governance and business climate are reinforced.
The conference aims to promote indigenous leadership in economic development by fostering dialogue, sharing best practices, and building collaborative networks. This event will bring together indigenous leaders, policymakers, financial institutions, and experts from around the world to explore pathways for strengthening Indigenous economic systems and securing financial autonomy.
May 29, 2025 Indigenous Economic Autonomy
| 9:00 – 9:30 | Opening Remarks Regional Director for Sustainable Development for the Latin America and Caribbean Region, World Bank - Benoit Bosquet Minister of Finance and Public Credit of Colombia – Germán Ávila Plazas |
| 9:30 – 10:45 | Panel Discussion. Economic Development for Indigenous Peoples Self-Determination Permanent Roundtable for Consultation with Indigenous Peoples and Organizations (MPC), Colombia
Indigenous Multi-active Cooperative Buen Vivir
|
| 10:45 – 11:00 | Coffee Break |
| 11:00 – 11:45 | Keynote Address. Development of Intercultural Economy, Well Being, and Indigenous Local Self-determination CODELCO, University Adolfo Ibañez, Chile - Eduardo Bitrán Colodro |
| 11:45 – 1:15 | Lunch Break |
| 1:15 – 2:30 | Panel Discussion. Business Climate for Indigenous Peoples Theme 1. Path to Indigenous Economic Self-determination: Regional Economies and Indigenous Participation Indigenous Business Australia
Theme 2. Māori Economy: A Transformation in Motion OpinioNative
|
| 2:30 – 2:45 | Coffee Break |
| 2:45 – 3:45 | Indigenous-Led Investment & Enterprises for Sustainable Forests United Nations Development Programme
Indigenous Community Nuevo San Juan de Parangaricutiro, Mexico
|
| 3:45 – 4:00 | Final Reflection. Building Bridges to Sovereignty: Lessons Learned and Actions Ahead - World Bank — Germán Freire |
May 30, 2025 Indigenous Financing Models: Indigenous Banking
| 9:00 – 9:30 | Welcoming Remarks Practice Manager, Social Development, Latin America and the Caribbean, World Bank - David Warren ProColombia – Andrés Felipe Castellanos Rodríguez, on behalf of Ambassador of Colombia to the United States Daniel García-Peña Jaramillo. |
| 9:30 – 10:00 | Keynote Address. Financial Systems and Economic Models for Indigenous Self-Determination Financiera para el Bienestar (FINABIEN), Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, Mexico – María del Rocío Mejía Flores – online |
| 10:00 – 10:15 | Coffee Break |
| 10:15 – 11:45 | Panel Discussion. Indigenous Ventures: Bridging Policy, Investment and Entrepreneurship Development Banking Unit, Head Ministry of Finance and Public Credit, Mexico
World Bank, Mexico
|
| 11:45 – 1:00 | Lunch Break |
| 1:00 – 2:30 | Panel Discussion. Indigenous Financial Institutions as Drivers of Economic Growth Podáali Indigenous Fund of the Brazilian Amazon
Indigenous Business Portfolio in Colombia, World Bank
|
| 2:30 – 3:00 | Closing Remarks. Indigenous Economic Sovereignty: A Call to Action Regional Director for Sustainable Development for the Latin America and Caribbean Region - Benoit Bosquet |
FAQs
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