From 15 to 16 November 2019, ENDA Health took part in the global dialogue with indigenous peoples and local communities on the IPBES assessment of invasive alien species in Montreal.
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) is an independent intergovernmental body established by Member States in 2012. It provides policy makers with objective assessments of the state of knowledge about biodiversity, ecosystems and the benefits they provide to the planet, people, and the tools and methods to protect and sustainably use these vital natural assets. The mission of IPBES is to strengthen the knowledge base for better science-based policy, for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, long-term human well-being and sustainable development.
The objectives of the workshop were to create a space for dialogue between the authors of assessments and indigenous peoples and local communities, with the following objectives
- develop recommendations for indigenous peoples and local communities on specific topics and areas of action for the assessment;
- Begin to develop a set of key questions about local and indigenous knowledge that will help develop a narrative for the assessment and direct the collection, analysis and synthesis of information.
- Explore how to combine experience and understanding of species in relation to invasive species through the indigenous peoples programme and local communities;
- Exploring indigenous peoples' and local communities' response, adaptation and management strategies for invasive alien species;
- Discuss how the assessment of invasive alien species could be useful to indigenous peoples and local communities;
- Begin to develop case studies relevant to the evaluation;
- Identify key experts who can contribute to the assessment as contributing authors or participants in future dialogue workshops and review processes; and
- Identify resources and sources of information that can be included in the assessment.
This people-to-people dialogue was an opportunity to reflect on the future of biodiversity, between people and organisations working at community level.
The post-2020 framework should :
- Using a human rights-based approach
- Establishing equitable governance
- Be evidence-based (IPBES Global Assessment, Global Biodiversity Outlook and Local Biodiversity Outlook)
- Ensuring coherence and synergy within the UN system
- Aligning your organisation with the SDGs
As the 2050 vision of the convention is " Humanity living in harmony with Nature ", the Dialogue defined a number of expected outcomes:
- Reflections on a mission statement for 2030: Together with government, business and society, mobilising for the conservation, restoration, sustainable use and benefit sharing of biodiversity.
. Restoring the balance between man and nature;
. Understanding and appreciation of the different values that indigenous peoples and local communities may have regarding biodiversity.
. Reconnecting people with their culture and nature.
. Better knowledge of the environment, which is integrated into daily life and influences their values.
- Reflections on a mission statement for 2040
The loss of biological and cultural diversity is initiated and corrected, ensuring the health and well-being of nature and people.
To this end, certain themes have been proposed:
I. International Frameworks/ Interface
II. Actions at national level
III. Conservation
IV. Sustainable use
V. Knowledge and culture
VI. Protection of indigenous peoples, local communities and their traditional knowledge innovations and practices, including through the application of guidelines and standards and the strengthening of Article 8J and related provisions
VII. Full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities
VIII. Access and Benefit Sharing; Financing and Safeguarding
IX. Definition of favourable conditions
X. Definition of indicators
This meeting of the Working Group on Article 8 (j) was tasked with developing proposals for possible future work, as well as institutional arrangements to inform the development of a programme of work as part of the post-2020 framework, to enable the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in the work of the Convention. Among other things, the 11th Meeting a:
- reviewed a report based on the 6th national reports on the progress made in implementing Aichi Goal 18 (traditional knowledge) and in integrating the considerations of the Working Group into the work of the Convention;
- discussed elements for a post-2020 rapprochement of nature and culture; and considered new recommendations from the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues under the Convention.
Member countries unanimously stressed that the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities holding traditional knowledge is crucial for the work of the Convention and for the development of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework and highlighted training and capacity building activities to support the conservation efforts of local communities and indigenous peoples.
The analysis presented on the national reports on the implementation of Aichi Goal 18 underlines that it is an enabling goal that contributes to other goals.
She highlighted the types of actions presented by the parties and pointed out that, despite the number of actions mentioned in the national reports, there is little information to assess progress in implementation. She also highlighted that very few national reports focus on adopted indicators such as land tenure, traditional occupations and indigenous and local languages.
Parties welcomed inter-agency work between the CBD Secretariat, the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and other relevant bodies to strengthen the link between nature and culture. Finally, delegates approved the final recommendations on :
o A new work programme and new institutional arrangements on Article 8 (j);
o Elements of nature and culture integration in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework;
o Recommendations of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII); and in-depth dialogue on thematic areas.
