Panama initiated the first regional meeting of indigenous peoples for inclusion, biodiversity, and environmental justice – Noticias Ambientales

Inaugural Session of Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and its Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Context and Mandate

Panama is hosting the inaugural session of the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). This permanent body, established at COP16, is designed to ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in global biodiversity conservation efforts. This initiative directly supports the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by empowering marginalized groups, SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by creating inclusive governance structures, and SDG 15 (Life on Land) by leveraging traditional ecological knowledge.

Strategic Objectives for Inclusive Biodiversity Governance

Upholding Indigenous Rights and Knowledge in Pursuit of SDG 15

The primary mandate of the Subsidiary Body is to advance a rights-based approach to conservation that aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Its core objectives are to ensure that indigenous peoples and local communities:

• Share equitably in the benefits arising from the utilization of their traditional knowledge, contributing to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).
• Have their ancestral knowledge, innovations, and practices respected, preserved, and maintained, which is critical for the targets within SDG 15 (Life on Land).
• Are formally recognized as guardians of biodiversity and key partners in achieving global sustainability, reinforcing SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

The CBD Executive Secretary, Astrid Schomaker, emphasized the responsibility to translate this mandate into concrete results that support a sustainable future for all.

Agenda for the First Session: Operationalizing Global Commitments

Key Deliberation Points

The session, running until October 30, convenes representatives from 196 nations, indigenous peoples, and civil society to establish an operational framework. The agenda is focused on critical actions that underpin the SDGs:

1. Development of a Modus Operandi: Establishing procedures for the new body to ensure its effectiveness and inclusivity, a foundational step for building strong institutions as outlined in SDG 16.
2. Integration of Traditional Knowledge: Integrating indigenous and local knowledge systems into the review and implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, directly supporting the targets of SDG 15.
3. Resource Mobilization Strategies: Devising strategies to channel financial and technical resources to local communities, a key component for implementing SDG 1 and SDG 17.

Advancing Multilateralism and Environmental Democracy

Fostering Inclusive Institutions for SDG 16

Irene Vélez, Minister of Environment of Colombia and President of COP16, highlighted the body’s potential to serve as a model for inclusive environmental governance. The goal is to evolve multilateralism beyond state-centric models to one that meaningfully includes peoples. This approach is fundamental to achieving SDG 16 by promoting responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.

Integrating Ancestral Knowledge into National and Global Frameworks

Actionable Guidelines for SDG 15 and SDG 13

Discussions during the session will formulate guidelines on several key areas that link traditional practices with global sustainability targets:

• Territorial Recognition: Valuing and recognizing indigenous and traditional territories as vital areas for conservation, contributing to SDG 15.1 and SDG 15.2.
• Community-Led Conservation: Promoting restoration and conservation initiatives led by local communities, which is essential for ecosystem restoration under SDG 15.3.
• Ancestral Knowledge in Planning: Incorporating ancestral wisdom into national spatial planning and environmental impact assessments, a critical strategy for advancing both SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15.

Conclusion: A Milestone for the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development

The Indispensable Role of Indigenous Peoples in Achieving a Sustainable Future

The establishment of the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) marks a significant advancement in democratizing environmental governance. It reaffirms that achieving the SDGs, particularly those related to environmental protection and social equity, is impossible without the active partnership of indigenous peoples. Their knowledge and practices are fundamental to developing nature-based solutions that address the interconnected crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. As noted by the CBD Executive Secretary, separating cultural and biological diversity is not feasible; this body aims to apply sustainability criteria that fulfill the central promise of the 2030 Agenda: to leave no one behind.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   The article’s central theme is the creation of a new body to ensure the “full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities.” This directly addresses the goal of reducing inequalities by promoting the inclusion of marginalized groups in global environmental policy and decision-making processes. The concluding phrase “without leaving anyone behind” is a core principle of this SDG.

2. SDG 15: Life on Land

   The entire context of the article is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). It explicitly discusses the “protection of biodiversity,” “restoration and conservation led by local communities,” and the recognition of indigenous peoples as “guardians of biodiversity.” The article emphasizes that their traditional knowledge is fundamental to addressing environmental crises, which aligns with the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   The establishment of the “Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j)” is a concrete step towards building more effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at the international level. The article highlights the goal of creating a “model of inclusive environmental governance” and advancing the “democratization of environmental governance,” which are key aspects of SDG 16.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   The meeting in Panama is a multi-stakeholder partnership in action, bringing together “representatives from 196 countries, indigenous peoples, civil organizations, and environmental experts.” The call to conceive “multilateralism beyond the States and with the peoples” reinforces the importance of collaboration and global partnerships to achieve sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

  • Target 10.2: “By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all…” The article’s focus on ensuring the “full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities” in the CBD process is a direct implementation of this target.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  • Target 15.6: “Promote fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources…” The article explicitly states that a key aim of the new body is to ensure that indigenous peoples “Share the benefits derived from the use of their traditional knowledge.”
  • Target 15.9: “By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning…” The article mentions that guidelines will be debated on the “Incorporation of ancestral knowledge in spatial planning and environmental impact assessments,” which directly relates to this target.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  • Target 16.7: “Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels.” The creation of a “new permanent space” for indigenous participation and the goal of making it a “model of inclusive environmental governance” are clear examples of efforts to achieve this target.

• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

  • Target 17.17: “Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships…” The meeting itself, involving governments, indigenous peoples, and civil organizations, along with the discussion on developing “strategies to mobilize resources,” exemplifies the multi-stakeholder partnerships this target promotes.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

The article implies several qualitative and process-based indicators that can measure progress:

• Establishment and operationalization of inclusive bodies: The creation and successful functioning of the “Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j)” serves as a primary indicator of progress towards Target 10.2 and 16.7. The development of its “modus operandi” is a measurable milestone.
• Integration of traditional knowledge into policy: An indicator for Target 15.9 is the extent to which “traditional knowledge” is successfully integrated into the review of the “Kunming-Montreal Global Framework” and incorporated into national “spatial planning and environmental impact assessments.”
• Development of benefit-sharing mechanisms: Progress on Target 15.6 can be measured by the creation and implementation of concrete mechanisms that allow indigenous peoples to “Share the benefits derived from the use of their traditional knowledge.”
• Resource mobilization for local communities: An indicator for Target 17.17 would be the successful development and implementation of “strategies to mobilize resources and means of implementation for local communities,” ensuring they have the financial support for their conservation efforts.

4. Create a table with three columns titled ‘SDGs, Targets and Indicators” to present the findings from analyzing the article.

Source: noticiasambientales.com