ANEI's main mission is to promote and support the cultural preservation of the Arhuaco, Wiwa and Kogui indigenous peoples within their region through the implementation of eco-sustainable projects that strengthen the group's organisational processes. Also, to support the economic and social recovery, as well as the cultural rights of the people who belong to the organisation.

ANEI seeks to improve the quality of life by making sustainable use of resources. It also wants to play an important role in the recovery of universal order and harmony, in relation to the cosmological vision of the local population, which play a vital role in maintaining balance in the Universe.

ANEI also seeks to promote greater cooperation and understanding between the indigenous and non-indigenous population within its area of influence. It has already incorporated many campesinos (farmers and agriculturists of Spanish descent) into the association.

All of these objectives have been created in the context of the problems and challenges that the diverse indigenous communities of the Sierra Nevada faced at the time the organisation was founded.