Whakatane Mechanism

The aim of the Whakatane Mechanism is to assess the situation in different protected areas around the world and, where people are negatively affected, to propose solutions and implement them. It also celebrates and supports successful partnerships between peoples and protected areas.

The Whakatane Mechanism was proposed at an IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) ’Sharing Power’ conference in January 2011, together with Indigenous Peoples’ organisations (IPO) members of IUCN, and Forest Peoples Programme. The co-convenors of the Mechanism remain FPP and IUCN CEESP. The Mechanism consists of ’Whakatane Assessments’ that identify and address problematic areas, where people are still negatively impacted by protected areas or proposed protected areas, and where peoples’ rights are being violated. These assessments propose solutions and develop transparent and accountable processes to implement them. They also specify recommendations to address gaps between actual observed practice and rights-based conservation. Furthermore, and where possible, they identify, celebrate, and support successful projects and best practices. The use of the Mechanism is a facilitated dialogue between government officials, and the affected indigenous peoples’ organisations and communities (supported by allies), with IUCN playing a convenor role. Three Assessments have been conducted in Thailand, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Kenya.