International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity at Convention on Biological Diversity
9th Conference of the Parties
Opening Statement
Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. This statement is made on behalf of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB).
We thank the Government of Germany and City of Bonn for hosting COP9.
We are very proud to announce that the IIFB, has more than 500 participants of Indigenous Peoples and local communities from all over the world. Mr. Chairperson, the vast majority of our Forum is able to participate through our own fundraising efforts and the generosity of both private and government donations, especially the Government of Germany, Norway and Sweden.
Chairpersons, distinguished delegates, the IIFB would like to take this occasion to celebrate the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and express our sincere thanks to all the States that voted for its adaptation. This Declaration affirms the existence and establishment of the universal human rights standards for the protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation of decisions under the Convention on Biological Diversity must be consistent with the rights enshrined in this Declaration.
We strongly support the statement of the Indigenous Women’s biodiversity Network together with indigenous youth.
In the upcoming two weeks we will offer specific recommendations to the Parties in the various working groups, but we offer these general comments.
Biodiversity and Climate Change
We call for stronger collaboration between the CBD and the UNFCCC to address the issue of biodiversity and climate change. Therefore, we call on the CBD to take active role in all climate change discussions.
Climate change is threatening the food security and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples despite the fact that we have contributed very little to its causes. We are likewise, concerned that the mitigation and adaptation strategies being proposed and implemented to address climate change are causing more violations to our rights as Indigenous Peoples. These marked based mechanisms urge industrialized countries to meet their Green House Emissions Targets in order to reduce the degradation of our biodiversity that we rely on for our very survival.
Protected Areas
Indigenous Peoples are very concerned about the continued expansion of protected areas. What we want is the recognition of indigenous bio-cultural territories and community conserved areas and their importance for the maintenance of cultural and biological diversity. We do not want the establishment of any new national protected areas in indigenous lands and territories until our rights to our lands, territories and resources are fully recognized and respected.
We urge Parties NOT to subject the management, monitoring and evaluation of existing Protected Areas to national legislation which in almost all countries failed to provide for participation of Indigenous Peoples. We also ask Parties to adopt the recommendation made by the 2nd Working Group on Protected Areas to give priority to the implementation of Element 2 of restitution of our lands and territories taken for protected areas without our free, prior and informed consent so that Indigenous Peoples can re-establish control over our lands and territories.
Access and Benefit Sharing
Any proposed International Regime on Access and Benefit Sharing must accord with the minimum standards set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This means that any Regime must recognize, inter alia, that Indigenous Peoples have rights over our genetic resources, and not just our traditional knowledge associated to genetic resources. Indigenous Peoples’ free and informed consent must be obtained before access to out genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge can occur. The appropriate terminology – “indigenous peoples’ – must be acknowledged and used in the instrument embodying any International Regime.
Article 8 (j)
We reiterate that the programme of the Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions is fundamental to the successful implementation of the Convention, and is vital to Indigenous Peoples. We welcome the positive outcomes of the 8(j) WG such as the Akwe:Kon Guidelines and strongly support the renewed focus on the completion of concrete items such as the elements of sui generis systems, the code of ethical conduct, and 8(j)-related elements of any possible International Regime on ABS. We are gravely concerned that the issues facing the ABS WG are threatening to undermine the work programme of the 8(j) WG and call on the Parties to respect, preserve and maintain the knowledge, innovations and practices of Indigenous Peoples through the commitment of holding separate meetings of the 8(j) and ABS working groups.
Financial Mechanisms
We are deeply concerned that the proposed elements for the four-years (2010-2014) framework for programme priorities related to utilization of GEF resources for biodiversity have been elaborated without significant participation of indigenous peoples, and might lead to violations of Indigenous Peoles rights. We request that the GEF creates direct funding modalities for programmes and projects designed and managed at all stages by indigenous peoples. Furthermore, we are very concerned that the CBD is accessing funds from financial mechanisms such as the GEF Adaptation Fund and the World Bank’s Carbon Partnership Facility which are potentially violating indigenous peoples’ rights and do not have effective Human Rights safeguards.
Forest and Agricultural Biodiversity
The issue of agricultural biodiversity is crucial to Indigenous Peoples especially in the face of the growing global food crisis. We urge States to guarantee rights of Indigenous Peoples to save, exchange and sell our seeds without restrictions.
We also call on States to end perverse subsidies that hurt Indigenous Peoples. Parties must encourage Indigenous Peoples and small farmers’ food systems, which protect us from biodiversity damage due to corporate driven agriculture and global trade.
Recognizing the negative impacts of biofuels, we call for the stoppage of biofuel production. We also call for the termination of terminator and genetic modification technologies.
In addition, we urge parties and international organizations to give priority to the protection and promotion of indigenous knowledge in agriculture and outlaw the patenting of knowledge and seeds.
With respect to Forest Biodiversity, we make an urgent call to the need to solve and deal with issues regarding our lands, territories and resources as priority issues.
Inland Waters/Invasive Species
Contamination of inland waters, construction of hydroelectric power stations, development of extractive industries and artificial diversion of rivers leads to loss of biodiversity and related traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples.
It is necessary that Parties recognize traditional water resource management and the customary laws of Indigenous Peoples and local communities with respect to access to bioresources, We urge Parties to support conducting studies on the impacts of dams and pollution of inland waters on biodiversity, including Tran boundary waters.
Marine and Coastal Biodiversity/ Island biodiversity
Indigenous Peoples have the ancestral knowledge to manage our marine eco-systems. Criteria, guidance and steps for managing existing marine and coastal biodiversity areas must be consistent with the ecosystem approach and include social, cultural, traditional, and spiritual elements, based on the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples, with our full and effective participation.
The term open-seas and deep-seas are non-legal terms, understood different by the scientific and legal communities and indigenous peoples. The definition of these terms must be clarified and Indigenous Peoples must be included in the definition process.
Indicators, Ecosystem Approach, NBSAP Implementation
The IIFB give highest importance to implementation of the CBD Strategic Plan and the 2010 Biodiversity Target, consistent with securing the rights and well-being of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The COP9 Agenda includes consideration of a few practical indicators for assessing progress in the protection of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices. These emerged from a global consultation with indigenous peoples, culminating in the International Expert Seminar on Indicators Relevant fro Indigenous Peoples, the CBD and the MDGs. We urge parties to take note of these indicators, and to use them in the preparation of their 4th national Reports. We call on parties to foster full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the elaboration of NBSAPS and in the monitoring of progress made towards their implementation.
Communications, Education and Public Awareness
Indigenous Peoples have prioritized communication, education and public awareness (CEPA) as key components of our programme of work. We welcome decision VIII/6 that calls for the inclusion of representatives from indigenous and local communities in the informal advisory committee and we look forward to a useful collaboration in the future. The IIFB must play a key role in the implementation of CEPA in order to ensure that our rights are known and understood, and our full and effective participation guaranteed. We also believe that a fundamental message that must be incorporated into all CEPA activities should reflect the central role of Indigenous Peoples in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, the IIFb looks forward to working with the Parties in the spirit of trust, mutual respect, and collaboration over the next two weeks.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
9th Conference of the Parties
Opening Statement
Thank you, Mr. Chairperson. This statement is made on behalf of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB).
We thank the Government of Germany and City of Bonn for hosting COP9.
We are very proud to announce that the IIFB, has more than 500 participants of Indigenous Peoples and local communities from all over the world. Mr. Chairperson, the vast majority of our Forum is able to participate through our own fundraising efforts and the generosity of both private and government donations, especially the Government of Germany, Norway and Sweden.
Chairpersons, distinguished delegates, the IIFB would like to take this occasion to celebrate the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and express our sincere thanks to all the States that voted for its adaptation. This Declaration affirms the existence and establishment of the universal human rights standards for the protection of the rights of Indigenous Peoples Implementation of decisions under the Convention on Biological Diversity must be consistent with the rights enshrined in this Declaration.
We strongly support the statement of the Indigenous Women’s biodiversity Network together with indigenous youth.
In the upcoming two weeks we will offer specific recommendations to the Parties in the various working groups, but we offer these general comments.
Biodiversity and Climate Change
We call for stronger collaboration between the CBD and the UNFCCC to address the issue of biodiversity and climate change. Therefore, we call on the CBD to take active role in all climate change discussions.
Climate change is threatening the food security and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples despite the fact that we have contributed very little to its causes. We are likewise, concerned that the mitigation and adaptation strategies being proposed and implemented to address climate change are causing more violations to our rights as Indigenous Peoples. These marked based mechanisms urge industrialized countries to meet their Green House Emissions Targets in order to reduce the degradation of our biodiversity that we rely on for our very survival.
Protected Areas
Indigenous Peoples are very concerned about the continued expansion of protected areas. What we want is the recognition of indigenous bio-cultural territories and community conserved areas and their importance for the maintenance of cultural and biological diversity. We do not want the establishment of any new national protected areas in indigenous lands and territories until our rights to our lands, territories and resources are fully recognized and respected.
We urge Parties NOT to subject the management, monitoring and evaluation of existing Protected Areas to national legislation which in almost all countries failed to provide for participation of Indigenous Peoples. We also ask Parties to adopt the recommendation made by the 2nd Working Group on Protected Areas to give priority to the implementation of Element 2 of restitution of our lands and territories taken for protected areas without our free, prior and informed consent so that Indigenous Peoples can re-establish control over our lands and territories.
Access and Benefit Sharing
Any proposed International Regime on Access and Benefit Sharing must accord with the minimum standards set out in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. This means that any Regime must recognize, inter alia, that Indigenous Peoples have rights over our genetic resources, and not just our traditional knowledge associated to genetic resources. Indigenous Peoples’ free and informed consent must be obtained before access to out genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge can occur. The appropriate terminology – “indigenous peoples’ – must be acknowledged and used in the instrument embodying any International Regime.
Article 8 (j)
We reiterate that the programme of the Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions is fundamental to the successful implementation of the Convention, and is vital to Indigenous Peoples. We welcome the positive outcomes of the 8(j) WG such as the Akwe:Kon Guidelines and strongly support the renewed focus on the completion of concrete items such as the elements of sui generis systems, the code of ethical conduct, and 8(j)-related elements of any possible International Regime on ABS. We are gravely concerned that the issues facing the ABS WG are threatening to undermine the work programme of the 8(j) WG and call on the Parties to respect, preserve and maintain the knowledge, innovations and practices of Indigenous Peoples through the commitment of holding separate meetings of the 8(j) and ABS working groups.
Financial Mechanisms
We are deeply concerned that the proposed elements for the four-years (2010-2014) framework for programme priorities related to utilization of GEF resources for biodiversity have been elaborated without significant participation of indigenous peoples, and might lead to violations of Indigenous Peoles rights. We request that the GEF creates direct funding modalities for programmes and projects designed and managed at all stages by indigenous peoples. Furthermore, we are very concerned that the CBD is accessing funds from financial mechanisms such as the GEF Adaptation Fund and the World Bank’s Carbon Partnership Facility which are potentially violating indigenous peoples’ rights and do not have effective Human Rights safeguards.
Forest and Agricultural Biodiversity
The issue of agricultural biodiversity is crucial to Indigenous Peoples especially in the face of the growing global food crisis. We urge States to guarantee rights of Indigenous Peoples to save, exchange and sell our seeds without restrictions.
We also call on States to end perverse subsidies that hurt Indigenous Peoples. Parties must encourage Indigenous Peoples and small farmers’ food systems, which protect us from biodiversity damage due to corporate driven agriculture and global trade.
Recognizing the negative impacts of biofuels, we call for the stoppage of biofuel production. We also call for the termination of terminator and genetic modification technologies.
In addition, we urge parties and international organizations to give priority to the protection and promotion of indigenous knowledge in agriculture and outlaw the patenting of knowledge and seeds.
With respect to Forest Biodiversity, we make an urgent call to the need to solve and deal with issues regarding our lands, territories and resources as priority issues.
Inland Waters/Invasive Species
Contamination of inland waters, construction of hydroelectric power stations, development of extractive industries and artificial diversion of rivers leads to loss of biodiversity and related traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples.
It is necessary that Parties recognize traditional water resource management and the customary laws of Indigenous Peoples and local communities with respect to access to bioresources, We urge Parties to support conducting studies on the impacts of dams and pollution of inland waters on biodiversity, including Tran boundary waters.
Marine and Coastal Biodiversity/ Island biodiversity
Indigenous Peoples have the ancestral knowledge to manage our marine eco-systems. Criteria, guidance and steps for managing existing marine and coastal biodiversity areas must be consistent with the ecosystem approach and include social, cultural, traditional, and spiritual elements, based on the free, prior and informed consent of Indigenous Peoples, with our full and effective participation.
The term open-seas and deep-seas are non-legal terms, understood different by the scientific and legal communities and indigenous peoples. The definition of these terms must be clarified and Indigenous Peoples must be included in the definition process.
Indicators, Ecosystem Approach, NBSAP Implementation
The IIFB give highest importance to implementation of the CBD Strategic Plan and the 2010 Biodiversity Target, consistent with securing the rights and well-being of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The COP9 Agenda includes consideration of a few practical indicators for assessing progress in the protection of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices. These emerged from a global consultation with indigenous peoples, culminating in the International Expert Seminar on Indicators Relevant fro Indigenous Peoples, the CBD and the MDGs. We urge parties to take note of these indicators, and to use them in the preparation of their 4th national Reports. We call on parties to foster full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the elaboration of NBSAPS and in the monitoring of progress made towards their implementation.
Communications, Education and Public Awareness
Indigenous Peoples have prioritized communication, education and public awareness (CEPA) as key components of our programme of work. We welcome decision VIII/6 that calls for the inclusion of representatives from indigenous and local communities in the informal advisory committee and we look forward to a useful collaboration in the future. The IIFB must play a key role in the implementation of CEPA in order to ensure that our rights are known and understood, and our full and effective participation guaranteed. We also believe that a fundamental message that must be incorporated into all CEPA activities should reflect the central role of Indigenous Peoples in the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
Finally, Mr. Chairman, the IIFb looks forward to working with the Parties in the spirit of trust, mutual respect, and collaboration over the next two weeks.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
