UNPFII Side event: Securing land and territorial rights for Indigenous Peoples

This side event, to be held at the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) 22nd session in New York, discusses how to ensure the full and equitable participation of Indigenous Peoples in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

The speakers will focus on what enabling conditions Indigenous Peoples need and what collaborations and dialogues are required to turn the GBF commitments, recommendations and pledges into action.

The newly adopted Global Biodiversity Framework as a starting point 

The GBF (adopted at COP15 in December 2022) recognises the integrity and distinct nature of the lands, territories and resources of Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLC), as well as the importance of IPLC’s role in implementing the framework and in achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.

The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) praised the text for its "strong language on respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.”

The new recommendation framework, published on December 19, also highlighted 'the important roles and contributions of indigenous peoples and local communities as custodians of biodiversity and partners in conservation, restoration and sustainable use.'

Next steps to turn GBF commitments into action

After the adoption of the GBF, the IIFB pledged to be partners in applying the adopted monitoring and reporting framework through community-based monitoring. They also stressed that robust indicators for monitoring contributions of IPLCs will provide a fuller picture of post-2020 GBF implementation, also applying indigenous concepts and local languages.

To bring real action, human rights-based Indigenous-led conservation models should become the standard, as Indigenous Peoples’ conservation models have proved to be more efficient and effective.

It is also important to improve direct access to financial resources for Indigenous Peoples, as well as strengthening their participation in GBF governance committees to ensure that grants are better designed and implemented.

This side event seeks to bridge the gap between the lived realities of Indigenous Peoples and the discourses, commitments and policy dialogues at the national and global level. This approach aims to enhance dialogue and find pathways towards collaborative solutions to mitigating the climate and biodiversity crises and ensuring planetary and territorial health.

This event is sponsored by the International Climate Initiative (IKI)

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