Indigenous peoples from a dozen countries as well scientific researchers and scholars have been invited to share their knowledge at the summit, which is being held under the theme, "Cherishing the Earth, Respecting Ancient Wisdom," said the Taiwan Indigenous Cultural Enterprise Development Association (TICEDA), the main organizer.

"Global warming is a reality that we are going to have to confront, and the way that indigenous people live, which means in harmony with nature, can be an example for modern society," said Alice Takiwatan, director-general of TICEDA.

Urging people to pay closer attention to the environment and to respect nature, Takiwatan related a piece of wisdom passed on from her mother, saying that "human beings cannot joke with the Earth, because it winks its eyes," implying that nature reacts to human behavior.

"And now, it's that moment when the Earth winks, " she said.

President-elect Ma Ying-jeou, who was unable to attend the opening ceremony, conveyed his support for the summit via indigenous Legislator Kung Wen-chi, stating that the idea of sustainable development has always been a part of indigenous peoples' lives, and that one of the priorities of his incoming administration would be to work on environmental protection.

Ma's and his administration are scheduled to take office on May 20.

Asked to give an example of indigenous peoples' means of preventing global warming, Takiwatan said that "leveling the mound and raising that which is low is not part of indigenous peoples' logic," alluding to their respect for the order of nature.

Scholars, followers of different religions and sects, and indigenous peoples from countries such as the Philippines, United States, England, Singapore and Myanmar, will also discuss topics like development of indigenous enterprise and their contemporary belief system, according to TICEDA.

In Taiwan, the government officially recognizes 13 indigenous tribes that represent 484,000 people, or about 2.1 percent of the total population of the country.