Achieving the world we need and want depends on enhancing indigenous and local communities contributions to sustainable development in both regional and global levels.  One of the insights to be shared in this session is related to mechanisms that ensure strong and resilient communities, protecting the necessary conditions for those that inhabit these territories to continue their role as forest defenders, which has been proven by science as one of the best contributions to tackling climate change. Other insights include indigenous and local communities pilot experiences in providing food security to their regions. Improving progress on the SDGs is directly related to merging action and adaptation in order to achieve more ambitious results. Considering indigenous and local communities roles in that process could achieve robust and effective impact, accelerating action on food security, improved nutrition, good health and economic growth in their regions.