COP16: UN Convention on Biological Diversity

COP16 is the sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, also known as the "United Nations Biodiversity Conference." 

COP16 takes place in Cali, Colombia from October 21 through November 1, 2024. This year’s theme is “Peace with Nature” – a call to nations to act with urgency in addressing the global crisis of biodiversity loss.

COP16 is the first Biodiversity COP since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at COP15 in December 2022 in Montreal, Canada.

At COP16, governments will be tasked with reviewing the implementation progress of the GBF. Parties to the Convention are expected to show the alignment of their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) with the Framework. COP16 will further develop the monitoring framework and advance resource mobilization for the GBF. 

Among other tasks, COP16 is also due to finalize and operationalize the multilateral mechanism on the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of digital sequence information on genetic resources.

Source: Convention on Biological Diversity

The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) is a collection of representatives of Indigenous governments, Indigenous non-governmental organizations and Indigenous academics and activists who organize around the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and other major international environmental meetings to help coordinate Indigenous strategies at the global, regional and national levels.

Their main objective is to facilitate and support the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the CBD to ensure that the rights of Indigenous Peoples and their contribution to nature are recognized and respected during the negotiation, adoption of the decisions of the CBD and its protocols, and its implementation.

Learn more on the IIFB website.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was adopted in December 2022 at the United Nations’ COP15 in Montreal, Canada. The GBF is a series of targets and goals reached at COP15 following intense negotiations with nations and other actors, including Indigenous rights advocates. In total, over 190 countries signed on. 

The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) was instrumental in pushing for inclusion of language protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The GBF recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ work, knowledge, and practices as key to biodiversity protection in various targets. Implementation must respect Indigenous Peoples’ rights, ensure their free, prior, and informed consent and their effective participation in decision-making.

One of the main targets of this landmark agreement, known as 30x30, is to protect 30 percent of Earth’s lands and waters by 2030. With that target only six years away following COP16, nations must act quickly and work with Indigenous Peoples who have long cared for thriving ecosystems in the lands and waters they call home. 

"The GBF text provides a strong basis for countries to walk hand in hand with Indigenous Peoples in addressing the biodiversity crisis and in ensuring that the negative legacy of conservation on Indigenous Peoples will be corrected." - Jennifer "Jing" Tauli Corpuz (Kankana-ey Igorot, Philippines), Nia Tero's Managing Director of Policy

• Learn more about the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

• Review the 2030 targets

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework contains strong language on respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs), and notes their important roles and contributions as custodians of biodiversity and as partners in conservation, restoration and sustainable use.

Indigenous Peoples’ rights are explicitly mentioned in one of four goals and seven of twenty-three targets in the GBF, as well as in paragraph 8 on considerations for implementation, and in two COP decision paragraphs. Within the targets specifically, Indigenous Peoples' rights are mentioned in the preamble, in the considerations for implementation, spatial planning (Target 1), area-based conservation (Target 3), customary sustainable use (Targets 5 and 9), traditional knowledge (Goal C, Targets 13 and 21), participation and respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities to lands, territories and resources (Target 22), and in direct access to biodiversity finance (Target 19f).

Here are examples of the targets and goals in which Indigenous rights are explicitly included in the Global Biodiversity Framework: 

• Target 1: Notes that efforts to reduce threats to biodiversity "respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.”
• Target 3: Also known as 30x30, Target 3 explains that by 2030 at least 30% of lands and waters be protected “recognizing Indigenous and traditional territories” and “respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, including over their traditional territories.”
• Target 5: In addressing overexploitation, this target also includes language about “respecting and protecting customary sustainable use by Indigenous Peoples and local communities.”
• Target 9: Affirms the sustainable use of wild species, noting that must protect and encourage “customary sustainable use by Indigenous Peoples and local communities.”
• Target 19: Considers financial resources for implementation and includes verbiage about enhancing the role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, Mother Earth-centric actions and traditional approaches.
• Target 21: Calls for biodiversity-inclusive decision-making by which includes the knowledge and contributions of Indigenous Peoples and local communities - accessed only with their free, prior and informed consent.
• Target 22: This section on rights states that the implementation of the GBF must “Ensure the full, equitable, inclusive, effective and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision-making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge, as well as by women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities and ensure the full protection of environmental human rights defenders.”
• Paragraph 4: “Urges Parties and other Governments, with the support of intergovernmental and other organizations, as appropriate, to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), and, in particular, to enable participation at all levels of government, with a view to fostering the full and effective contributions of women, youth, Indigenous Peoples and local communities…”
• Paragraph 6: “Reaffirms its expectation that Parties and other Governments will ensure that the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities are respected and given effect”

Sources: 

1. Q&A with Jennifer (Jing) Tauli Corpuz on COP15 Goals and Outcomes

2. Celebrating the Relationship Between Indigenous Guardianship & Biodiversity

A crucial advocate for Indigenous representation in the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and at COP16 is the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB).

The IIFB’s main objective is to facilitate and support the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the CBD to ensure that the rights of Indigenous Peoples and their contribution to nature are recognized and respected during the negotiation, adoption of the decisions of the CBD and its protocols, and its implementation.

One central theme for Indigenous Peoples going into COP16 is emphasizing in these global spaces the importance of Indigenous Peoples’ traditional knowledge. The implementation of the provision known as Article 8(j) reinforces the value of Indigenous knowledge and the rights of Indigenous Peoples in biodiversity conservation.

The final text of the GBF adopted at COP15 recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ work, knowledge, and practices as key to biodiversity protection in various targets. The implementation of this deal must respect Indigenous territories, ensure their rights and their free, prior, and informed consent and Indigenous People’s effective participation in decision-making. 

Here are the five identified priorities of the IIFB for COP16:

1. Presentation of NBSAPs 

• Emphasize the importance of updated National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 
• NBSAPs are commitments made by the nations who signed on to the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework to 1) develop national strategies, plans or programs for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity and 2) Implementation via integration of these goals and targets 
• Showcase how these strategies reflect national commitments to protecting biodiversity and achieving sustainable development goals. 

2. Biodiversity Financing 

• Highlight the urgent need to close the $700 billion biodiversity financing gap. 
• Focus on mobilizing financial flows to align with the Global Biodiversity Framework. 
• Encourage private sector engagement and innovation in financing mechanisms for biodiversity conservation. 

3. Monitoring Framework Development 

• Communicate the development of a robust monitoring framework that ensures transparency and accountability in implementing biodiversity commitments. 
• Share progress on resource mobilization to support the Global Framework. 

4. Multilateral Mechanism for Benefit-Sharing 

• Promote the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of genetic resources. 
• Explain the significance of finalizing a multilateral mechanism at COP16 for digital sequence information on genetic resources. 
• Address how this mechanism supports global biodiversity efforts and fosters international cooperation. 

5. Indigenous Peoples and Article 8(j)

• Reinforce the importance of Indigenous knowledge and the rights of Indigenous Peoples in biodiversity conservation. 
• Emphasize COP16’s efforts to strengthen the participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making, especially regarding the fair sharing of benefits derived from the use of their knowledge and practices. 
• Focus on the creation and operationalization of a subsidiary body on Traditional Knowledge under Article 8(j) to ensure meaningful involvement and recognition of Indigenous contributions to biodiversity. 

Head to the IIFB's website for more information and updates.

Namibia 

• NNDFN - Nyae Nyae Development Foundation of Namibia 

Kenya 

• ILEPA – Indigenous Livelihoods Enhancement Partners 
• IMPACT – Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation 
• Kivulini Trust 

Democratic Republic of Congo 

• ANAPAC - Alliance Nationale d'Appui et de Promotion des Aires et territoires du Patrimoine Autochone et Communautaire en République Démocratique du Congo 
• Strong Roots 

Brazil 

• CIR – Conselho Indígena de Roraima
• FOIRN – Federação das Organizações Indígenas do Rio Negro
• UNIVAJA – União dos Povos Indígenas do Vale do Javari
• Hutukara Associação Yanomami
• APIAM - Articulação das Organizações e Povos Indígenas do Amazonas
• COIAB – Coordenação das Organizações Indígenas da Amazônia Brasileira
• Podaáli - Fundo Indígena da Amazônia Brasileira
• APIB – Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil
• IEPE – Instituto de Pesquisa e Formação Indígena
• ISA – Instituto Socioambiental
• AmazoniAlerta

Canada

• ILI – Indigenous Leadership Initiative
• Qqs Projects Society

Colombia

• OPIAC – Organización Nacional de los Pueblos Indígenas de la Amazonia Colombiana
• Gaia Amazonas

Ecuador

• Alianza Ceibo
• PSHA – Pueblo Shuar Arutam
• NAE – Nación Achuar del Ecuador
• CONFENIAE - Confederación de Nacionalidades Indígenas de la Amazonía Ecuatoriana 
• Amazon Frontlines
• Kara Solar

Guatemala

• Sotz’il

Guyana

• APA - Amerindian Peoples’ Association
• Rainforest Foundation US

Nicaragua

• Gobierno de la Nación Sumu Mayanga

Peru

• ORPIO – Organización Regional de Pueblos Indígenas del Oriente
• AIDESEP – Asociación Interétnica de Desarrollo de la Selva Peruana
• GTANW – Gobierno Territorial Autónomo de la Nación Wampis
• Peru Equidad
• IDL – Instituto de Defensa Legal

Suriname

• Mulkot Foundation 
• VIDS - Vereniging van Inheemse Dorpshoofden in Suriname 

United States

• Blackfeet Eco Knowledge
• NALC - Native American Land Conservancy

Regional

• RMIB – Indigenous Women’s Network on Biodiversity

Indonesia

• Sungai Utik

Thailand 

• KNCE - Karen Network for Culture and Environment

Nepal

• NEFIN - Nepal Federation of Indigenous Nationalities

• KKT - Karrkad-Kandji Trust
• JARC - Jubilee Australia Research Centre
• Warddeken Land Management

Sweden

• Samiid Riikkasearvi

Solomon Islands 

• IKI - Island Knowledge Institute
• MMGB – Mai Maasina Green Belt

Papua New Guinea

• CELCOR – Center for Environmental Law & Community Rights
• Project Sepik
• BRG – Bismarck Ramu Group
• PEDF - Pihi Environment and Development Forum

Vanuatu 

• Vanuatu Bureau of Statistics Wellbeing Indicators Initiative
• Vanuatu Department of Forestry / New York Botanical Garden

Kanaky / New Caledonia

• ACCMP Dayu Biik

Palau

• One Reef

Cook Islands

• Korero O Te `Ōrau
• Cook Islands Voyaging Society

Rapa Nui / Eastern Islands

• Rapa Nui Municipality 

• FPP - Forest Peoples Programme
• GATC - Global Alliance of Territorial Communities
• IPRI – Indigenous Peoples Rights International
• Land is Life
• Pawanka Fund
• Wayfinders Circle