Ecosystems have provided Asia's rural communities livelihoods for centuries.
These communities produce food and raw materials for the rest of the world's population, yet it is ironic that these communities that practice agriculture, fishing, and herding, are the ones facing poverty and hunger and have no tenure rights over said ecosystems. It is undeniable that the lack of communities' control over land and natural resources have given way to exploitation and competition from external parties.
Sixteen members of the ILC in Asia from eight countries of Central Asia, South Asia and South-East Asia have
committed themselves to work towards restoration and better management of ecosystems under the ILC Asia Ecosystem Restoration Platform.
Our collective goal is to strengthen the tenurial security of communities as a way to ensure and recognize their efforts in ecosystem management. This will be done by developing and implementing ecosystem restoration activities, by documenting good practices and advocating government policies and programmes through people-centered land governance.