Reimagining conservation at the IUCN World Conservation Congress

This week, leaders and decision-makers from governments, civil society, business, academia, and indigenous peoples’ organisations will come together at the IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC). Taking place from 9^th to 15^th of October in Abu Dhabi, the WCC is a space for participants to share experiences, innovations, new research, and to reach agreements that will shape global conservation and sustainable development agendas for years to come. 

Forest Peoples Programme (FPP) and its partners, including Indigenous representatives from Asia, the Americas, and Africa, will attend the Congress to highlight the importance of adopting a rights-based approach to conservation.  

Reimagining Conservation Pavilion 

Alongside participating in the Congress proceedings, FPP will be a part of the ‘Reimagining Conservation Pavilion’. Developed in collaboration with the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic, and Social Policy (CEESP) and a dynamic coalition of partners – including Arcus Foundation, Cambridge Conservation Initiative, Conservation Data Justice, ICCA Consortium, International Institute for Environment and Development, IUCN Center for Conservation Action, Maliasili, and Synchronicity Earth – the Pavilion will act as more than just an exhibition space.  

Over five days, the Pavilion will bring indigenous, community and CSO representatives together with conservationists to challenge dominant conservation narratives, build on common ground and open up new possibilities for people and nature. For FPP and our partners, the ‘Reimagining Conservation Pavilion’ is a space to explore how rights-based conservation can work in real terms, what it can look like, and why upholding the rights of indigenous peoples as well as of local communities is necessary for effective conservation. 

There are many events taking place at the ‘Reimagining Conservation Pavilion’, they represent a rich and eclectic mix of perspectives and themes. The full ‘Reimaging Conservation Pavilion’ programme is available here.

Our events in the full Pavilion programme are below.

Reimagining support for Indigenous and community led conservation (10th October – 18:00 – 19:00) will be an opportunity to hear directly from indigenous and community delegates about their aspirations for sustainable use on their lands, and the kinds of changes they would like to see in the support provided by conservation actors. Speakers include Nugkui Teresa Noningo Mauricio, technical advisor to the Autonomous Wampis Nation in Peru. 

How can we address historic and ongoing injustices in conservation? (11th October 11:00 – 12:30) brings together Indigenous representatives including and conservation professionals in discussion about what constitutes good practices in past and ongoing injustices, creating space for a critical conversation and shared learnings on constructive ways forward. Speakers include Laban Changeywo, Project Officer from Chepkitale Indigenous People Development Project. 

Supporting rights and equity in practice (11th October – 18:00 – 19:00) will be an opportunity to learn from case study presentations and join a discussion with indigenous representatives about practical tools and approaches for implementing rights-based conservation on the ground.  Speakers included Laban Changeywo, Nugkui Teresa Noningo Mauricio and Nutdanai Trakansuphakon Social Enterprise del. & communication coordinator, Pgakenyaw Association for Sustainable Development 

Movie Night: Constructing Autonomy: Stories of indigenous governance in Peru (11th October – 20:00 – 21:00). The film by LifeMosiac explores the Wampis and Awajun Autonomous Territorial Governments, their creation, management, achievements and challenges and vision for the future. The screening also offers another chance to hear from Nugkui Teresa Noningo Mauricio, who will be speaking at the Reimagining support for Indigenous and community led conservation event. 

To learn more about how indigenous peoples and local communities are key players in rights-based conservation, visit our IUCN World Conservation Congress reports pages.