Significant move at COP16: Indigenous groups and local communities secure a continuous role in international biodiversity management leadership
Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Secure Permanent Space in Global Biodiversity Framework
In a historic move, the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has approved the creation of the Permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) (SB8j), a dedicated platform for Indigenous Peoples and local communities to participate in global biodiversity governance.
Viviana Figueroa of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) hailed the SB8j as a "big step forward," stating that it establishes a permanent subsidiary body for Indigenous Peoples and local communities on traditional knowledge. Lakpa Nuri Sherpa, Co-President of the IIFB, described COP16 as a "People's COP," emphasising the importance of listening to the voices of those who care for and protect biodiversity hotspots.
The SB8j, led by the Indigenous Caucus, will provide a space for Indigenous Peoples and local communities to work alongside Parties and other organizations to apply and promote traditional knowledge in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Jennifer Corpuz of the IIFB assured that the modus operandi of the SB8J will be worked on in the first meeting, with the new work program on Article 8j moving forward without delay.
The creation of the SB8j is considered a historic victory for the IIFB, a testament to their relentless work over two decades in the CBD. Studies have shown that biodiversity is decreasing less rapidly in the lands of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, underscoring the importance of their role in biodiversity conservation.
The SB8j recognizes the vital contributions of Traditional Knowledge to the success of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The continued existence of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Article 8(j) (WG8j), which has addressed issues related to Traditional Knowledge for over 20 years, has now culminated in a permanent space for Indigenous Peoples and local communities to continue their work on traditional practices in biodiversity conservation.
Indigenous Peoples and local communities have been guardians of nature and have cared for and protected biodiversity since time immemorial. The IIFB believes that the SB8j will support the protection and progress of the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, both internationally and nationally. Governments need to listen and work with the communities that already live in peace with biodiversity to achieve the CBD's goal of living in harmony with nature.
In conclusion, the creation of the SB8j is a significant step towards institutionalizing the participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in global biodiversity governance. It enhances their participation, integrates their knowledge systems, provides capacity building, and recognizes their critical role in biodiversity conservation. This formalization within the GBF framework marks a pivotal step in respecting Indigenous rights and fostering collaborative biodiversity governance at the international level.
[1] Source: IIFB Press Release, COP16 Presidency Communique, and CBD Technical Documents.
- The established SB8j, a part of the CBD, is a significant development in environmental-science and policy-and-legislation, providing a permanent platform for Indigenous Peoples and local communities to work alongsideParties and other organizations on climate-change and biodiversity conservation.
- The SB8j recognition of Traditional Knowledge's value provides a crucial opportunity within the Global Biodiversity Framework, emphasizing the importance of politics and general-news in supporting and valuing Indigenous Peoples and local communities' contributions to environmental-science and climate-change mitigation.
- This achievement in the creation of the SB8j not only underscores the success of the Indigenous Caucus' advocacy efforts but also underscores the necessity of working together with local communities to achieve the CBD's goal of sustainable biodiversity management and science-based climate-change policies.
