The International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests was founded in Penang , Malaysia in 1992 by a range of indigenous peoples' organizations, representatives and leaders. The organization was established to implement and carry out the Charter of the Alliance , established during this meeting in Penang . The key aim in the establishment of the International Alliance, and the Charter, was to establish a forum and mechanism for Indigenous Peoples to participate in and influence the major environmental negotiations and policies being discussed at that time by the world community. This mission has grown to include the key human rights mechanisms affecting Indigenous Peoples as and when they have been established.

Since the establishment of the International Alliance the organization has grown through a number of stages. Initially the Alliance was housed in the World Rainforest Movement offices in the United Kingdom, and received technical advice and assistance from the Forest Peoples Programme. As the organization grew in size and membership, increasing attention has been placed on strengthening the regional offices, and in 2000 regional secretariats were planned for all regions of the Alliance . Regional structure has also changed, with an increase in the total number of regions to nine, and continual increase in the number of countries and peoples represented.

The International Alliance plays a number of key roles in influencing the decision-making process of the UN bodies and other relevant institutions to ensure the protection of indigenous people’s rights.

The International Alliance exists to promote the rights of indigenous peoples in all areas, respect for cultural diversity, democratic reform and a harmonious and sustainable relationship with the human environment.

The Alliance works to secure recognition of, and respect for the rights of indigenous and tribal peoples, through

1. National, regional and international advocacy
2. Policy intervention
3. Capacity and institutional strengthening
4. Networking

Its main approaches include arranging conferences, participating in international conferences to influence decision-making process and policy issues, and issuing publications and providing technical support for institutional strengthening.

The information contains in this page is a summary of some key activities that the Alliance has closely followed up in the recent years and its upcoming activities.