The Ministry of Culture of Peru announced on Apr. 7 that it positioned the country as a regional leader in the inclusion of collective rights for Indigenous peoples during the Fifth Meeting of High Authorities of Government and Indigenous Peoples of Ibero-America, held in Santa Marta, Colombia. Representatives from 22 countries attended the event.
This development is significant as it highlights Peru’s efforts to strengthen public policies with an intercultural approach and ensure collective rights for Indigenous communities across Latin America. The ministry presented its National Policy for Indigenous or Original Peoples (PNPI) to 2040, which was developed with input from over 400 Indigenous leaders through a prior consultation process and aims to benefit nearly six million people.
Ricardo García Pinedo, director of Indigenous Policies at the Ministry of Culture, said during his presentation before the Fund for the Development of Indigenous Peoples of Latin America and the Caribbean: “Peru is consolidating a model of public policy based on intercultural dialogue and effective participation by Indigenous peoples.” The ministry also reported progress on implementing prior consultation rights in Peru, with 114 processes completed since 2012 and eight currently underway.
Rosalía Clemente Tacza, president of the National Agrarian Confederation—one of eight national-level Indigenous organizations—participated as part of Peru’s delegation. The meeting included countries such as Mexico, Bolivia, Colombia, and Spain. According to the official website, more than 800 Indigenous peoples live in Latin America and the Caribbean with an estimated population near 58 million people.
The Ministry oversees national cultural policy while working to safeguard heritage and encourage diversity across Peru. It promotes social inclusion by protecting heritage sites and supporting cultural identity initiatives according to its official website. The ministry operates under autonomous status within Peru’s Executive Branch according to its official website.
Looking ahead, officials say that participation at this international forum reaffirms Peru’s commitment to strengthening intercultural public policies while serving communities throughout the country according to its official website.
