Latest submission to the Convention on Biological Diversity

FPP and Natural Justice organised a joint submission to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in response to a request for contributions from Parties and stakeholders about the CBD’s programme of work that deals with traditional knowledge about biodiversity (Article 8j). 

Submissions like these are important opportunities to shape discussions and decision-making in the CBD, as the inputs are included in official meeting documents – in this case in the next meeting of the Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions that will meet in Montreal in October 2013. 

Included in the submission are views and suggestions on the in-depth dialogue that will be held at the Working Group’s meeting on “Connecting traditional knowledge systems and science”, as well as on the development of the new CBD plan of action for customary sustainable use. We also provided extensive views on the use of the term “indigenous peoples and local communities” in the CBD instead of “indigenous and local communities”, following recommendations from the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. Affirmation of the status of indigenous peoples as peoples, not just communities, is important in order to fully respect their identities and protect their human rights. The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity is the only decision-making body of an international convention to use the term ‘indigenous and local communities’, and failed to adopt a decision to update the terminology at COP11 in India last year.  

The final submission, which was circulated in draft form through various online networks for discussion and comments, was endorsed and signed by over 70 community-based organisations, networks, and NGOs working on issues related to traditional knowledge and customary sustainable use of biodiversity in various countries. It is available to download in Spanish, French and English here: http://www.forestpeoples.org/topics/convention-biological-diversity-cbd/publication/2013/submission-convention-biological-diversi