Global Biodiversity Framework to save nature will only be effective if rights and contributions of indigenous peoples and local communities are fully recognized

PRESS CONFERENCE:

• In English/Spanish, with interpretation.
• Originally broadcast on Thursday 23 June,  11:00 -11:45 (local time) in Nairobi and on zoom
• Watch a recording of the event here.

Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, civil society, Indigenous Peoples gather in Nairobi for the final meeting of the UN’s working group on the post-2020 global biodiversity framework – the last opportunity before world leaders meet to secure an agreement on nature in December this year – Indigenous leaders participating in event with a strong message:

 

A Human Rights approach – including respect and recognition to the land, territories, traditional knowledge, and the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities – is key for the [Global Biodiversity] Framework to succeed.

 

With the support of many in the scientific community—including some experts advising UN decisionmakers-- Indigenous leaders urge Parties to ensure that the final plan for protecting the world’s remaining biodiversity must also protect the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and their unmatched ability to conserve nature that are vital to preventing climate change, biodiversity loss and pandemic risk.

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In their opening statement, IIFB said:

 

“Can governments in this room commit to having relationships with our planet together with the world’s indigenous peoples and local communities?

 

 

“Our lands contribute to the conservation of biodiversity at the same scale and in some cases exceed the contributions from protected areas, and are necessary to the achievement of the post-2020 goals and targets.”

 

Lucy Mulenkei, Co-Chair of IIFB said “There is irrefutable evidence that the only way this can be a strong instrument is by incorporating and ensuring a strong human rights element – respecting the role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities – into the new global biodiversity framework.” 

A growing body of research shows that safeguarding the rights of IPLCs is the most effective – and the most economical – model for protecting the world’s nature.  In a recent study in Nature, the authors concluded that “Indigenous support is central to forest conservation plans, underscoring the need for conservation to support their rights and recognize their contributions.”

Indigenous leaders have made progress in promoting the evidence that supports their demands; the latest version of the text on the table for negotiation, which is  to be debated in Nairobi, will acknowledge the need for a human rights based approach to conservation.

But Indigenous Peoples continue to face challenges from different forces as we are currently seeing where thousands of Maasai from Ngorongoro Tanzania who are facing eviction from their ancestral lands in the name of conservation.

 

“If we don’t have a framework to protect nature that truly recognises and respects the rights of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities — those who are actually conserving biodiversity — humanity is going to be in danger,” said Ramiro Batzin, Co-chair of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity* (IIFB).

 

 

“Indigenous Peoples don’t see nature as separate from people, and neither should the Global Biodiversity Framework,” said Joji Carino, member of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity, speaking at the Geneva Meetings.

 

 

“Government can no longer treat biodiversity and humans as separate if we are to really advance negotiations. We are so closely interrelated,” said Carino.

 

 

“We urge all Parties to the Convention to help implement these recommendations to put the rights of the guardians of the world’s most precious ecosystems at the centre of policy to conserve this planet,” she said.

 

Other aspects of the negotiations must cover financing mechanisms for biodiversity conservation for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, and ensure intergenerational equity, and respect for gender and youth

In a statement issued at the conclusion of the previous round of talks, IIFB said:

 

“IIFB firmly believes that for this [global biodiversity] framework to be successful and inclusive it will require further improvements, and the full and effective participation of [Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities] in the process leading up to COP 15 and beyond."

 

 

"[We] are looking at this process with the hope that the Global Biodiversity Framework will be truly transformative and will recognize the contributions and rights of Indigenous Peoples to protect Mother Nature.”

 

Key policy areas of concern to IIFB during the negotiations

• The requirement of a human-rights-based approach to biodiversity conservation
• The requirement of Free, Prior and Informed Consent
• Recognition and respect for traditional knowledge
• Secure land, territories and tenure rights for the stewards and guardians of the world’s ecosystems, especially Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
• Financing mechanisms for biodiversity conservation for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
• Intergenerational equity, and respect for gender and youth

EVENT:

• In English/Spanish, with interpretation.
• Press Conference: Thursday 23 June,  11:00 -11:45 (local time) in Nairobi and on zoom
• Join live via cbd.int/live
• Join live via Zoom (with interpretation) – Register here

WHEN/WHERE:

For information on event and for interviews with member of the IPLC Caucus, please contact:

• Alice Mathew (ecila.mathew@gmail.com)
• Winnie Kodi (kodiwinnie@gmail.com)
• Tom Dixon (tdixon@forestpeoples.org)

IIFB members who will be speaking at the press briefing:

Ramiro Batzin, International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) & Sotzil (Guatemala)

Lucy Mulenkei, IIFB & IWBN, Indigenous Information Network (Kenya)

Joji Carino, IIFB & Forest Peoples Programme (Philippines) 

Jennifer Tauli Corpuz, IIFB & Nia Tero (Philippines)

Áslat Holmberg, IIFB & Saami Council (Finland)

Ruth V. Spencer, IIFB & Barnes Hill Community Development Organization (BHCDO), (Antigua and Barbuda)

Other IIFB members available for interview:

Joseph Itongwa, IIFB & ANAPAC (DRC)

Daniel Kobei, IIFB & OGIEK Peoples' Development Program (OPDP)

Ndiaga Sall, IIFB & Enda Santé (Senegal)

Viviana Figueroa, IIFB & Red de Mujeres Indigenas sobre Biodiverdad LAC region

Faith Nataya, IIFB & African Indigenous Women Organization (Kenya)

Abigail Kitma, IIFB & Tebtebba (Philippines)

Ramson Karmushu, IIFB & IMPACT (Kenya)

Rodrigo De la Cruz, IIFB & Parlamento Andino (Ecuador)

Tabea Casique Coronado, IIFB & AIDESEP/COICA (Peru Amazonia)

Gladman Chibememe, IIFB &  Earth Healing Association (Zimbabwe)