IIFB statement on Agriculture Biodiversity

International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity
Convention on Biological Diversity
Nine Conferences of Parties

Statement on Agriculture Biodiversity

Thank you Madame chair.

The agricultural biodiversity of Indigenous Peoples has a unique relationship with the land, territories, culture, traditional food systems and spiritual expressions of Indigenous Peoples. The discussion on agriculture cannot be limited to the conservation of seeds and cultivations. The debate must include a holistic approach that includes Indigenous Peoples’ traditional agricultural landscapes, biocultural systems, food sovereignty and their right to life as peoples. Our families are attached to our homes, our seeds learn to thrive in their place of cultivation by developing a relationship with soil, water, agricultural practices, ceremonies, and prayers; thereby giving seeds a sacred place in our families and communities. This is our agrobiodiversity.

The importance of indigenous traditional knowledge, innovation and practices is clearly evident in light of the current climate and food crisis. Local food systems, traditional seed exchange systems and maintaining ecosystem and seed diversity are examples of how Indigenous Peoples use their traditional knowledge to respond to climate pressures and be food self-sufficient. In the face of climate change, indigenous farmers are doing better with more genetic variation and are selecting from a larger pool of local material -- rather than waiting for breeders to supply them with varieties that will be at best only narrowly adapted.

To protect the diversity of our food systems and agrobiodiversity we call for the ban of GMO in our territories. GMO crops have escaped into the environment with maize in Oaxaca, Mexico and Canola in Canada and crossed into native seeds and wild plant. Therefore we call for the end of GMO/GE technologies; in particular we call for termination of “terminator seed”. We also call for the outlaw of biopiracy and the ban of patents on seed, we believe corporate ownership claims of landrace crop genomes and patent law represent a legal framework for the justification of the possession and destruction of our stolen cultural property.

The IIFB and the Indigenous Women Biodiversity Network call on Parties to end perverse subsidies that hurt agrobiodiversity and instead should support indigenous peoples and small farmer’ s food systems, thereby protecting agrobiodiversity from the negative impact of corporate driven agriculture and global trade.

Taking note the negative impacts of agro-fuel in our food sovereignty and security, we strongly demand the immediate ban of agro-fuel and bio fuel production.

Madame chair, in closing we call for the repatriation of seed diversity and associated knowledge from CGIAR Centers to indigenous and local communities farms and landscapes to generate a creative economies based on TK, build the adaptive capacity of the population and resilience of the system. We call for guarantee to our rights to freely save, exchange and sell their seeds without restrictions. Lastly, we call for an immediate and permanent stoppage to the release of GMO trees.

Thank you.

IIFB Intervention on Financing Mechanisms

Spanish Version
Intervención sobre Mecanismos Financieros

Gracias Sra. Presidenta,

Hablo en nombre del Foro Internacional indígena sobre Biodiversidad (FIIB) sobre la movilización de recursos financieros y el nuevo Plan Estrategico del GEF. Estamos muy preocupados por la estrategia de movilización de recursos y los elementos propuestos para la programación prioritaria del GEF para los años 2010–2014, que han sido elaborado sin participación significativa de los Pueblos Indígenas. También manifestamos nuestra profunda preocupación que el CDB está pidiendo financiación de mecanismos financieros tales como el Fondo de Adopción del FMAM y la Facilidad de Asociados de Carbono del Banco Mundial, que son fondos que potencialmente violan derechos humanos y particularmente derechos de los pueblos indígenas, y que estos dos mecanismos no tienen estándares adecuados para la protección de derechos humanos.

Por lo tanto Sra. Presidente, proponemos lo siguiente:

1. Que el COP proponga y apruebe el aumento del presupuesto bajo articulo 8j y disposiciones conexos para actividades en su plan de trabajo que pueden ser implementados por los Pueblos Indígenas, como actores activos y cruciales en la implementación del Plan de Trabajo del Grupo de Trabajo sobre 8j;
2. Que la estrategia 2010–2014 del GEF sea revisado con el fin de ser más coherente con los derechos e intereses de los Pueblos Indígenas;
3. Solicitamos que los Pueblos Indígenas participen activamente en las discusiones entre el CDB, el GEF y el Banco Mundial, para que los tipos de actividades a financiar sean coherente con los derechos humanos y derechos colectivos de los pueblos indígenas;
4. Proponemos que en el Plan Estratégico del GEF también incluya el establecimiento, con nuestra participación en el diseño, de un mecanismo de financiación directa a organizaciones de pueblos indígenas para proyectos que estén basados en nuestras propias prioridades y que serán ejecutados bajo nuestro manejo.

Gracias Sra. Presidenta y esperamos que podamos contribuir más a las discusiones siguientes sobre estos asuntos durante este COP.

English Version
Intervention on Financing Mechanisms

Thank you Madam Chair,

I speak on behalf of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) on the issues of financial resource mobilization and the new Strategic Plan of the GEF. We are very concerned that the strategy for resource mobilization, and the proposed elements for the priority programming of the GEF for the years 2010–2014 have been developed without a significant participation of Indigenous Peoples. We also express our deep concern that the CBD is requesting financing from financial mechanisms such as the Adaptation Fund of the GEF and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility of the World Bank, which are funds that potentially violate human rights and particularly the rights of Indigenous Peoples, and which have no adequate standards for the protection of human rights.

We therefore make the following recommendations:

1. That the COP proposes and approves an increase of the budget under article 8j and related articles for those activities in its Work Plan that can be implemented by Indigenous Peoples, as active and crucial actors in the implementation of the Work Plan of the Working Group on 8j;
2. That the strategy for 2010–2014 of the GEF be revised with the objective of being more coherent with the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples;
3. We request that Indigenous Peoples participate actively in the discussions between the CBD, GEF and the World Bank, in order that the type of activities for which financing is sought, are coherent with human rights and particularly the collective rights of Indigenous Peoples;
4. We propose that the Strategic Plan of the GEF 2010–2014 also include the establishment, with our participation in such design, of a mechanism for direct financing to Indigenous Peoples’ organizations for projects that are based on our own priorities and will be implemented under our own management.

Thank you Madam Chair, and we hope to make further contributions to the following discussions about these topics during this COP.

IIFB statement on Agenda Item 3.7

STATEMENT MADE BY THE INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS FORUM ON BIODIVERSITY (IIFB)

AGENDA ITEM 3.7 Progress in the implementation of the Strategic Plan and progress towards the 2010 target and relevant Millennium Development Goals

Madame Chairperson,

The IIFB believes that a review of implementation of Goal 4 of the Strategic Plan is very important to fully understand the progress of implementation of the CBD Strategic Plan.

In this regard, the IIFB Working Group on Indicators has proposed the adoption of three indicators assessing progress in the implementation of Goal 4, Target 3,

Full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities in CBD processes at all levels

Þ Numbers of indigenous and local community representatives participating in CBD official meetings disaggregated by region, country , gender

Þ Number of partnerships with and initiatives of indigenous and local communities in implementation of programs of the CBD (including CEPA & NBSAPS) at national regional and international levels (national reports done in a participatory way)

Þ Finances spent to support effective participation of indigenous and local communities in the implementation of the CBD at all levels.

In addition, a few practical indicators were also proposed for assessing progress in the 2010 Biodiversity target on protection of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices.

These proposed indicators are among the results of the International Expert Seminar on Indicators Relevant for Indigenous Peoples, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Millennium Development Goals, held in Banaue, Philippines in March 2007.

We would urge Parties to take note of these indicators, and to consider them in a review of implementation of Goal 4, Target 3, and also in the submission of the 4th national reports.

This global indicators process increased the capacity of indigenous participants to fully understand the CBD Strategic Plan and 2010 Biodiversity Target, and are more prepared with work closely with Parties for their fuller implementation, and in their monitoring through GBO3.

Thank you, Madame Chairperson.

ATTACHED: PROPOSED TEXTUAL CHANGES IN DRAFT DECISION:

Under Recommendation 2/1 (UNEP/CBD/COP/9/4)

National Biodiversity strategies and Actions Plans
Support processes
(l) Engage indigenous and local communities, and all relevant sectors and stakeholders including representatives of society and economy that have a significant impact on, benefit from or use biodiversity and its related ecosystem services. Activities might include:
(i) Preparing, updating, implementing, ADD reviewing and monitoring national biodiversity strategies and action plans with the participation of a abroad set of representatives from all major groups to build partnership and commitment;
…..

(m) Respect, preserve, maintain and ADD develop the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities consistent with Article 8(j), ADD and other relevant international instruments, particularly the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples;

Joint Declaration of the Indigenous Women's Biodiversity Network and the Indigenous Youth

Joint Declaration of the Indigenous Women’s Biodiversity Network and the Indigenous Youth

Bonn, Germany, May 18, 2008

Thank you, Mr. President.

We, the indigenous women and youth wish to make the following observations on the issues that will be discussed during COP9.

We thank the German government and people for their hospitality and are grateful to the international cooperation agencies for supporting our participation in this Conference.

Mr. Chair,

Climate change is adversely affecting the conservation of our biodiversity and our traditional knowledge causing the loss of our native seeds, medicinal plants, food security and food sovereignty, water scarcity and rising sea levels.

The expansion of protected areas systems in our lands and territories has caused adverse socioeconomic and cultural impacts on our peoples and our traditional management systems, increasing extreme poverty and contradicting the MDG, the Millennium Development Goals. Indigenous women are the keepers and developers of our food. We guarantee food security and we develop our seeds for the benefit of future generations.

Monocrops and the introduction of GMOs are greatly undermining the role of women as keepers and developers of seed and traditional knowledge of food production systems for current and future generations.

Mr. Chair,

We, therefore, recommend the following:

We urge Parties, the private sector and the conservation NGOs to guarantee the conservation of biodiversity by stopping all support of agrofuels, monoculture tree plantations, genetically modifies organisms and extractive industries, including mining and logging that destroy Mother Earth.

We reiterate the urgent need for the Parties to recognize and respect our customary systems for the protection of our traditional knowledge and associated genetic resources.

We urge Parties to implement the Gender Plan and provide human, technical and financial resources and inform you that the Indigenous Women’s Biodiversity Network is eager to contribute to this work.

IIFB opening statement in COP9 (Spanish Version)

Foro Internacional Indígena sobre Biodiversidad en el
Convenio sobre la Diversidad Biológica
Novena Conferencia de las Partes

Declaración de Apertura

Gracias señor presidente. Esta declaración es realizada por el Foro Internacional Indígena sobre Biodiversidad (FIIB).

Agradecemos al Gobierno de Alemania y la Ciudad de Bonn por auspiciar la COP9.

Estamos orgullosos de anunciar que el FIBB, tiene más de 500 participantes de Pueblos Indígenas y comunidades locales de todo el mundo. Señor Presidente, la gran mayoría de nuestro Foro puede participar mediante sus propios esfuerzos de conseguir fondos y las donaciones por parte entes privados y de gobiernos, especialmente Alemania, Noruega y Suecia.

Señores Presidentes, distinguidos delegados, el FIIB quiere aprovechar esta ocasión para celebrar la aprobación de la Declaración de las Naciones Unidas sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas y deseamos expresar nuestro sincero agradecimiento a los Estados que votaron a favor de su adopción. La Declaración afirma la existencia y el establecimiento de estándares internacionales de derechos humanos para la protección de los derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas. La implementación de decisiones bajo el Convenio sobre la Diversidad Biológica debe ser consistente con los derechos contenidos en esta Declaración.

Apoyamos la intervención que realizará la Red de Mujeres Indígenas sobre Biodiversidad junto a la juventud indígena.

En las próximas 2 semanas daremos recomendaciones a las Partes en los diferentes grupos de trabajo, pero ofrecemos las siguientes recomendaciones generales ahora:

Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático

Hacemos un llamado para el fortalecimiento de la colaboración entre el CDB y el UNFCCC en el tema de Biodiversidad y Cambio Climático. Por lo que hacemos un llamado al CBD para que tome un rol activo en todas las discusiones de cambio climático.

El cambio climático amenaza la seguridad y soberanía alimentaria de los Pueblos Indígenas a pesar de que nuestra contribución a dicho problema es mínima. También estamos preocupados por las políticas de mitigación y adaptación que se están proponiendo e implementando para tratar este tema. Estos mecanismos basados el mercado como el MDL (Mecanismos de Desarrollo Limpio) y particularmente REDD violarán nuestros derechos humanos y nuestros recursos. Hacemos un llamado urgente a Los países desarrollados para cumplir con sus metas de Emisión de Gases de Efecto Invernadero para reducir la degradación de nuestra biodiversidad de la cual dependemos para nuestra supervivencia.

Áreas protegidas
Los Pueblos Indígenas estamos preocupados por la continua expansión de las áreas protegidas. Queremos el reconocimiento de nuestros propios territorios de conservación: territorios bioculturales indígenas y áreas conservadas por la comunidad. Nos oponemos al establecimiento de nuevas áreas protegida en tierras o territorios indígenas hasta que nuestros derechos a las tierras, territorios y recursos sean plenamente reconocidos y respetados.
Urgimos a las partes que no se sujete la administración, monitoreo y evaluación de las Áreas de Protección existentes a legislación nacional dado que prácticamente todos los países fallan en garantizar la participación de Pueblos Indígenas.

Dado esto, apreciamos plenamente el Grupo de Trabajo sobre Áreas Protegidas ha acordado dar prioridad a la aplicación del Elemento de Programa 2 del Programa de Trabajo. Además instamos a las Partes a abordar el tema de restitución para nuestras tierras y territorios que han sido tomados para establecer APs sin nuestro consentimiento libre, previo e informado para que los Pueblos Indígenas puedan volver a ejercer nuestros sistemas de gestión tierras y territorios.
Acceso a Beneficios
Cualquier propuesta de régimen internacional sobre el Acceso y Distribución de Beneficios deberá respetar las normas mínimas establecidas en la Declaración de la ONU sobre los Derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas. Esto significa que el Régimen deberá reconocer, inter alia, que los Pueblos Indígenas tenemos derechos sobre nuestros recursos genéticos y no solamente nuestros conocimientos tradicionales relacionados con los recursos genéticos. El consentimiento libre, previo e informado de los Pueblos Indígenas es un requisito para acceder a nuestros recursos genéticos y conocimientos tradicionales relacionados. Se deberá reconocer y emplear la terminología apropiada – “Pueblos Indígenas” en el instrumento que se consagra en cualquier Régimen Internacional.

Artículo 8(j)
Reiteramos que el programa de trabajo del Grupo de Trabajo sobre el artículo 8(j) y provisiones relacionadas es fundamental para el éxito de la implementación de la Convención y es vital para los Pueblos Indígenas. Recibimos los resultados positivos de Trabajo sobre el Art. 8(j) tal como las directrices de Akwe:Kon y apoyamos fuertemente la renovación del enfoque al completar ítems de trabajo, tales como el sistema sui generis, el código de conducta ética y los elementos de un Régimen Internacional sobre ABS. Estamos preocupados con los asuntos que enfrenta el Grupo de Trabajo sobre el ABS quienes están socavando el el Programa de Trabajo del Grupo de Trabajo sobre el Artículo 8(j), hacemos un llamado a las Partes a que se respete, preserve y mantenga el conocimiento, las innovaciones y prácticas de los Pueblos Indígenas a través del compromiso de convocar a grupos de trabajo separados del Art. 8(j) y el ABS.

Mecanismos Financieros

Estamos muy preocupados que los elementos propuestos para el cuadro de programación prioritaria relacionados con la utilización de recursos del GEF para los cuatro años 2010 – 2014, han sido elaborado sin participación significativa de los pueblos indígenas, y estos pueden resultar en violaciones de los derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas. Pedimos que el GEF (FMAM) cree modalidades de financiamiento directo para programas y proyectos diseñado y manejado en todas sus etapas por pueblos indígenas.. Además, Sr. Presidente, manifestamos nuestra profunda preocupación que el CDB esta financiándose de mecanismos tales como el Fondo de Adaptación del FMAM y la Facilidad de Asociados de Carbono del Banco Mundial, que son fondos que potencialmente violan derechos humanos y particularmente derechos de los Pueblos Indígenas, y que no tienen estándares adecuados para la protección de derechos humanos.

Biodiversidad agrícola y forestal

El asunto de biodiversidad agrícola es crucial para los Pueblos Indígenas especialmente en vista del agravante crecimiento de la crisis global de alimentos. Urgimos a los Estados a que garanticen que los pueblos indígenas podamos guardar, intercambiar y vender nuestras semillas sin ninguna restricción.

También exigimos a los Estados que terminen con los subsidios perversos que perjudican a los pueblos indígenas y que apoyen los sistemas alimentarios de los pueblos indígenas y los pequeños agricultores quienes protegen del daño a la biodiversidad que se deriva de la agricultura industrial y del comercio mundial.

Reconociendo los impactos negativos de los biocombustibles, pedimos un alto a la producción de biocombustibles y que acabe con las tecnologías terminator y de OGM/IG.

Exigimos también a las Partes y a las organizaciones internacionales que den prioridad a la protección y promoción del conocimiento indígena sobre la agricultura y prohíban las patentes sobre el conocimiento y las semillas.

Con respecto a la Biodiversidad Forestal, hacemos un llamado a la necesidad de resolver y tratar los asuntos de derechos sobre las tierras, territorios y recursos como asuntos prioritarios.

Aguas continentales / Especies invasivas
La contaminación de las aguas continentales, la construcción de centrales hidroeléctricas, desarrollo de actividades extractivas y los trasvases artificiales de los ríos llevan a la perdida de la biodiversidad que está estrechamente relacionada con el conocimiento tradicional de los pueblos indígenas.

Es necesario que las Partes reconozcan las practicas de gestión tradicional de los recursos hídricos y el derecho consuetudinario de los pueblos indígenas y las comunidades locales. En relación con el acceso a los biorecursos de las aguas continentales solicitamos a las Partes que apoyen la elaboración de estudios sobre los impactos sobre la biodiversidad de la contaminación de las aguas continentales, incluidas las aguas transfronterizas..

Biodiversidad marina y costera / Biodiversidad de las Islas

Los pueblos indígenas, poseemos conocimientos ancestrales para la gestión sostenible de nuestros eco sistemas marinos. Los criterios de gestión de áreas protegidas marinas han de ser congruentes con el enfoque sistémico y deben incluir elementos sociales, tradicionales y espirituales y deben cumplir con el consentimiento libre, previo e informado y la participación plena y efectiva de los pueblos.

Los términos mar abierto y aguas profundas no tienen una definición universalmente aceptada y tienen interpretaciones diferentes según la comunidad científica y jurídica y según los pueblos indígenas. Las definiciones de estos términos deben clarificarse y los pueblos indígenas debemos estar incluidos en el proceso de definición.

Indicadores, el Enfoque Eco sistémico, la Implementación de EPANB
El FIIB da gran importancia al Plan Estratégico y la meta del 2010 del CBD, congruente con asegurar los derechos y el bienestar de los Pueblos Indígenas y comunidades locales. La Agenda de la COP9 incluye la consideración de algunos indicadores prácticos para evaluar el progreso en la protección del conocimiento tradicional, las innovaciones y prácticas. Estos indicadores son el resultado de una consulta global con Pueblos Indígenas, el CDB y los Objetivos de Desarrollo del Milenio. Urgimos a las Partes para que tomen en cuenta estos indicadores y los utilicen en la preparación de los 4tos Reportes Nacionales. Hacemos un llamado a las partes para fomentar la participación plena y efectiva de los Pueblos Indígenas y comunidades locales en la elaboración de EPANB y el monitoreo realizado para la implementación de estos.

Comunicación, Educación y Conciencia Pública
Los Pueblos Indígenas han priorizado la comunicación, educación y conciencia pública (CEPA) como componentes esenciales de nuestro programa de trabajo. Acogemos la decisión VIII/6 que hace un llamado para la inclusión de representantes de comunidades indígenas y locales en el comité asesor informal y esperamos una cooperación fructífera en el futuro. El FIIB debe tener un rol clave en la implementación de CEPA para asegurar que nuestros derechos sean conocidos y entendidos, y se garantice la plena y efectiva participación de los Pueblos Indígenas. Creemos que un mensaje esencial que se debe incorporar en todas las actividades de CEPA debe reflejar el rol clave de los Pueblos Indígenas en la conservación y el uso sostenible de la biodiversidad.

Finalmente, señor Presidente, el FIIB espera trabajar con las Partes en el espíritu de confianza, respeto mutuo y la colaboración durante las próximas dos semanas. Muchas gracias señor Presidente.

IIFB opening statement in COP9

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.