Land tenure accepted as measure of progress in Global Biodiversity Framework

Customary land tenure of indigenous peoples and local communities has been accepted as a key measure of progress in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

This indicator was included in the monitoring framework for the GBF at the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) in Calí, Colombia, in October 2024, and technically adopted in February 2025 in Rome. The work of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) and FPP in the lead up to COP16 was fundamental in making this happen.

The GBF, adopted in 2022 by countries around the world, sets out the plan for halting biodiversity loss and ensuring biodiversity conservation and sustainable use by 2050.

Its monitoring framework provides countries (and other actors) with indicators they can use to show progress in meeting the GBF’s goals and targets. The 23 targets are key milestones set for 2030.

The new indicator is a measure of both land use change and land tenure in the traditional territories of indigenous peoples and local communities. Its inclusion in the GBF monitoring framework is an important milestone in recognising the role of securing land tenure for indigenous peoples and local communities in achieving biodiversity goals and targets. It also cements the recognition of their key role as custodians of nature and biodiversity.

IIFB was one of the main advocates for the inclusion of the indicator. FPP participated in the technical processes to develop the indicator and provided support and guidance to IIFB in their advocacy. We continue to collaborate on developing the methodology for this indicator, and to engage with communities, partners and governments to support its reporting.