President of the Amerindian Peoples Association (APA), Lemmel Thomas, participated in a Regional Governance Workshop hosted by the Coordinadora de las Organizaciones Indígenas de la Cuenca Amazónica (COICA) on March 13–14, 2026, in Quito, Ecuador.
The two-day workshop brought together Indigenous leaders and representatives from across the Amazon region with the aim of strengthening regional governance systems and advancing strategic coordination among Indigenous organisations. Participants engaged in critical discussions and collaborative reflections focused on enhancing COICA’s governance mechanisms to ensure a more unified and effective regional body.
COICA is an Indigenous organisation representing the peoples of the Amazon Basin, advocating for the protection of Indigenous rights, territories, and cultures across nine countries. Through its work, COICA promotes self-determination, environmental stewardship, and collective action in addressing regional and global challenges affecting Amazonian communities.
Mr Thomas’s participation underscores the APA’s continued commitment to regional collaboration and solidarity among Indigenous peoples. The workshop provided a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and the strengthening of alliances aimed at advancing Indigenous governance and sustainable development.
The APA remains dedicated to supporting initiatives that empower Indigenous communities and reinforce their role in decision-making processes at national, regional, and international levels.