From April 27 to 29, 2025, the first in-person gathering of the Asia-Pacific Hub of the Global Alliance for the Rights of Nature (GARN) took place at the Mount Purro Nature Reserve in Rizal, Philippines. Under the theme “Interconnected for Nature: Igniting the Rights of Nature Movement in the Asia-Pacific,” the event brought together environmental leaders, legal experts, academics, and indigenous advocates from across the region.
Participants from ten countries—Australia, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Philippines, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, and Japan (via online)—shared the diverse journeys and achievements of the Rights of Nature movement in their local contexts. The three-day event featured country presentations, collaborative sessions to shape the structure and strategy of the Asia-Pacific Hub, action planning, and an immersive visit to an indigenous community in the Sierra Madre Mountain Range.
A key outcome of the gathering was the adoption of the Mount Purro Declaration—a collective commitment to uphold and advance the Rights of Nature across the Asia-Pacific region. The Declaration formalizes the launch of the GARN Asia-Pacific Hub and reaffirms its alignment with the principles of the Universal Declaration of the Rights of Mother Earth and GARN’s global charter.
The Mount Purro Declaration highlights the Hub’s shared commitments:
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To honor Mother Earth and uphold the sanctity of the Rights of Nature;
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To cultivate a culturally vibrant and inclusive movement;
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To collaborate with communities, institutions, and civic movements;
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To strengthen regional solidarity and advocacy through evidence-based action;
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To expand the Hub’s outreach and membership across Asia and the Pacific.
This historic document was signed by representatives from leading organizations and institutions in each participating country, marking a milestone in regional coordination for ecological justice.
👉 Read the full Mount Purro Declaration here: Download here.
As the Asia-Pacific Rights of Nature movement continues to grow, the Mount Purro Declaration stands as a guiding beacon for collective action, rooted in respect for Nature, culture, and solidarity.
