Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) updates

Capacity-building on traditional knowledge, customary use and community monitoring

In June 2015, Forest Peoples Programme was one of the main organising partners of a CBD International Training Workshop held in Panajachel, Guatemala. The workshop focused on Community-Based Monitoring, Indicators on Traditional Knowledge and Customary Sustainable Use and Community Protocols, within the framework of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020.

This training workshop was designed to strengthen the capacity of representatives of indigenous peoples and local communities and government officials working on issues related to traditional knowledge and customary sustainable use of biological diversity. It also sought inputs on these issues from participants for the planning and development of four regional training programmes and other capacity-building activities in 2016 for the Latin America, Africa, Asian and Pacific regions.

FPP organised a session on opportunities and challenges for implementation of the Global Plan of Action on Customary Sustainable Use (CSU) at the national and local levels, and another session on Community-Based Monitoring and Information Systems (CBMIS), in which experiences and tools were shared. Participants were involved in group discussions about priority areas for community monitoring and their capacity-building needs for supporting community efforts. Presentations and documents can be viewed at www.cbd.int/tk/cb/trainingprogramme/international.shtml and the meeting report will also be posted here shortly.

Assessment of contributions to biodiversity from Collective Actions by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

Another meeting held back-to-back in Guatemala was a Dialogue Workshop on Assessment of Collective Action of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in Biodiversity Conservation and Resource Mobilization, which explored approaches and ways to recognize and measure (particularly through non-monetary valuation) the contribution of indigenous peoples and local communities in biodiversity conservation. More information about this meeting is available here: www.cbd.int/financial/collectiveworkshop.shtml

Relevant upcoming meetings for IPLCs interested or engaged in the CBD process

A number of CBD meetings are planned in the next few months that are highly relevant for indigenous peoples and local communities. From 4-7 November, the 9th meeting of the CBD Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions (dealing with traditional knowledge, innovations and practices) will take place in Montréal, Canada. The main topics for discussion are the development of several standards and guidelines, e.g. for obtaining the prior informed consent or approval and involvement of indigenous peoples and local communities for the use of their traditional knowledge; for ensuring that indigenous peoples and local communities obtain a fair and equitable share of benefits arising from the use of their knowledge; and for the reporting and prevention of unlawful appropriation of traditional knowledge.

A number of the CBD items on traditional knowledge are now at the implementation stage where reviewing and measuring progress has become the primary focus. A new Subsidiary Body on Implementation was established to review relevant information on progress in the implementation of the Convention. This new body, which will have its first meeting in May 2016 in Montreal, will also be addressing the implementation of the plan of action on customary sustainable use of biological diversity (Article 10(c)), progress in recognition and support of Community-Based Monitoring and Information Systems (CBMIS), and progress in operationalisation of indicators for traditional knowledge and customary sustainable use. Information about these meetings and provisional agendas are available here: www.cbd.int/meetings/

Forthcoming publication about the contributions of IPLCs to the global biodiversity targets

A new publication is forthcoming that focuses on indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ views on the progress towards the commitments made by Parties and others concerning the Biodiversity Goals and Targets for the period 2010-2020. It provides community-based alternatives and other complementary perspectives on reaching the targets, highlighting local initiatives and contributions, the important role of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices for all targets, and describing negative or positive impacts on communities in relation to the targets. This will be a collaborative process involving the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) and the Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, with indigenous peoples and local community groups as the main contributors to the publication. More news will be shared on the FPP website or E-newsletter when available.

Forthcoming Publication: Status and Trends in Traditional Occupations: Outcomes of a Rapid Assessment

This publication was developed in response to a request for information and data onstatus and trends in traditional occupations related to conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity. The report is based on a survey (rapid assessment) developed by Forest Peoples Programme which was filled in by 17 experts from indigenous peoples and local communities, who provided information from 13 countries. The report is due for release shortly and will be available in English and Spanish.