IIFB Warns Biodiversity Loss in Dry and Sub-Humid Lands
Report By: IIFB Media Team
Indigenous Peoples delegates from the sub-Sahel region and African countries made request for the application of traditional knowledge and ecosystem approach to combat loss of biodiversity in dry and sub-humid lands.
Addressing the working group on “Dry and Sub-Humid Lands” on Day 4 of CBD COP 9 Conference, they said the challenge is the effective implementation of environmental and economic policies, with inclusion of indigenous communities.
The Indigenous Peoples delegates said that most of the solutions to the problems of arid and sub humid lands already exist in the three Rio conventions.
One major recommendation is the call for greater attention by UN agencies and Parties for conservation of biodiversity in arid and sub humid lands. They also requested for policies and programs on dry lands should respect the provisions of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other regional provisions, such as the African Human Rights Commission Report on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
They say programs and policies are needed to evolve in cooperation with mobile Indigenous Peoples` traditional knowledge as set out by the Ad Hoc Working group on 8j.
Indigenous representatives also saw the need for greater harmonization between CBD `s inter related elements on dry lands and called for full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in these processes.
The Statement made the following six recommendations to COP:
1. Encourage more attention by UN agencies and Parties to enhance the conservation of biodiversity in dry and sub-humid lands;
2. Promote a human rights approach to dry and sub humid lands
policies and programming at international, regional and national levels as well as recognizing the indigenous peoples and local communities land rights, including valuing cultural diversity. This includes inter alia respect for the principles contained in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and other instruments at the regional and national level;
3. Dry and sub-humid lands policies and programming need to evolve in cooperation with indigenous peoples and local communities’ traditional knowledge, notably as set out by the Ad Hoc Working Group on 8J;
4. There should be greater harmonization between CBD’s inter-related elements related to dry lands (i.e. 8J, 10C, ABS and Ecosystems Approach) and the work of the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD) and the Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC);
5. Harmonization between the Rio Conventions notably applies to the full recognition by Parties of indigenous peoples and local communities as a Major Group in all three instruments;
6. Lastly madam chair, we recommend full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities especially indigenous women in the UNCBD SBSTTA activities dealing with dry and sub-arid lands as well as related working groups.





Indigenous Peoples Urge for Support to Implement CEPA Program of Work

Report By IIFB Media Team

In Working Group II on Day 4 of COP 9, Indigenous Peoples urge all Parties, donors, and international organizations to support their initiatives in the implementation of CEPA program of work.
Indigenous delegates Chin Khan Muan (indigenous Zo-Chin people from northeast India) read the statement on behalf of IIFB (International Indigenous Forum for Biodiversity). He presented the CEPA work by the IIFB group with the launching of the “Indigenous Peoples Portal” website: http://indigenousportal.com , along with the formation of Indigenous Peoples’ CEPA Work Group. The Indigenous delegates welcomed all Parties and other stakeholders to visit the portal for news, information, and activities.
Indigenous Peoples also supported the proposal to celebrate 2010 as International Year of Biodiversity, and Agenda for Action 2008-2010. They also urged Parties to ensure full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in the implementation of these two programs. Indigenous delegates also supported the proposal by EU in regard to CEPA training and indicated their interest to take part of the training.