Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates, indigenous brothers and sisters,

Buongiorno a tutti! It is my honor to address this first meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Protected Areas on behalf of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity, whose preparatory meeting was held in this beautiful town of Montecatini on the 11 and 12 of June. The meeting brought together indigenous peoples from Latin America, Africa, Asia, Russia and the Pacific under the auspices of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the government and people of Italy for their hospitality and for organizing this meeting. We would also like to thank the Secretariat for preparing the documents, which will guide the discussion of this important meeting.

Mr. Chairman and distinguished delegates, the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity is an advisory body to the CBD on Indigenous issues and has been active on the topic of protected areas since the 5th World Park Congress held in Durban in September 2003. It also promotes linkages between the work of the CBD on protected areas and the implementation of Article 8(j).  We believe that issues surrounding protected areas are inextricably linked to the rights of Indigenous Peoples.

The establishment of protected areas around the world has resulted in, and continues to result in the dispossession of our lands, territories and resources and the loss of our cultures and livelihoods. This trend must stop and a new ethic of conservation should be established. This requires the restitution of our lands and rights, and the commitment of the Parties to resolve land rights issues.

It has therefore been surprising to note that the advances that have been achieved at the World Parks Congress, which have established a new paradigm for protected areas, and in decisions at COP-7 recognizing the rights of Indigenous Peoples, are not reflected in the documents prepared for this meeting.

COP-7 explicitly adopted paragraph 22 in Decision VII/28 that

We are therefore very disappointed that none of the documents prepared for this meeting mention respect for the rights of indigenous peoples. The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity is committed to contribute to the preparation of documents for future meetings. We believe that Indigenous Peoples have first hand experience about issues relevant to protected areas identification, designation, management, monitoring and evaluation. We believe that our contribution would help in achieving the objectives of the Convention.

Among the main issues we would like to flag at this time, in relation to the four substantive agenda items, are:

1.       Concerning Marine Protected Areas, we see with concern that traditional knowledge, innovations and practices have not been taken into account even though it is recognized that traditional knowledge plays a valuable role in the sustainable management of fish resources. For Indigenous Peoples, our rights and responsibilities are not limited to national jurisdiction, therefore we would like to see that appropriate language, which recognizes traditional knowledge and rights to marine resources is incorporated.

2.      Concerning financial resources for the implementation of the Programme of Work, the suggested recommendations to finance protected areas through extractive industries, carbon sequestration and debt-for-nature swaps are highly controversial and have proven to affect our rights and livelihoods.  Therefore, we urge Parties to develop strategies for the sustainable use of the wider landscape and seascape to protect nature, alleviate poverty and achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

3.      Concerning the further development of toolkits, we would like to underline that Indigenous Peoples are developing toolkits, which reflect their bio-cultural heritage. The indicative list of toolkits, that have been formulated by governments, scientists and conservation NGOs do not reflect the aspirations of Indigenous Peoples. We would therefore like to see support for Indigenous Peoples to develop their own toolkits, which should not be limited to community conserved areas and co-managed protected areas, but fully reflect the rights and aspirations of our peoples. 

4.      Concerning the process for the review of the implementation of the Programme of Work, we are committed to work with the Parties and other interested stakeholders in developing an effective and participatory process.

Mr. Chairman and delegates, we will be making some specific comments on each agenda item during the course of this meeting. We look forward to fruitful deliberations under your able leadership.

Thank you.

Fiu Elisara
Ole Siosiomaga Society Incorporated (OLSSI)
Samoa