A milestone at COP16: Global recognition of Indigenous rights and their role in the protection of biodiversity

The creation of the Permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8j and international partnerships pave the way for an active participation of Indigenous Peoples at COP30 in Brazil in 2025

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The historic decision at COP16: Indigenous Peoples get a Permanent Subsidiary Body on Traditional Knowledge

The recent UN COP16 marked a milestone for Indigenous Peoples by establishing a Permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8j, which gives them an official voice in global conservation policies. After intense negotiations, the agreement was announced by Colombia’s Minister of Environment, representing a historic recognition of Indigenous knowledge systems and their profound relationship with nature. This breakthrough validates the ancestral wisdom of Indigenous communities in the protection of biodiversity and underscores their essential role in caring for the planet.

The creation of the Permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8J represents a historic step forward for Indigenous Peoples, whose recognition goes beyond symbolism; it is a true inclusion in global decision-making on biodiversity.

In this achievement, the G9 of the Indigenous Amazon, an alliance of nine organizations of Indigenous Peoples of the Amazon, was fundamental, standing out at COP16 as a strategic actor.

Amazonian Indigenous Organizations form an alliance; G9

In their statement, they highlighted their ancestral role as guardians of the forests, warning that any dialogue on biodiversity and climate is meaningless without their participation. Faced with threats such as illegal mining and deforestation, they urged states to protect their territories and recognize their rights, requesting direct funding and participation in global policies. Their efforts contributed to the creation of the Permanent Subsidiary Body on Article 8J, a key achievement for their inclusion in global decision-making, and laid the groundwork for them to play a key role towards COP30 in Brazil in 2025.

Partnerships for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, economies and ecosystems in Africa

Highlights at COP16:

The FSC Indigenous Foundation and REPALEAC signed an agreement to strengthen initiatives with Indigenous Peoples in the Congo Basin, focusing on the defense of their rights, economic empowerment and sustainable management of forest ecosystems in Central Africa. This partnership with REPALEAC seeks to enhance the capacities of Indigenous organizations through participatory training and promote their participation in decision-making on natural resources, climate policy and biodiversity.
The FSC Indigenous Foundation signed an agreement with the Ogiek People’s Development Program (OPDP) to strengthen its collaboration with this community and protect the Mau Forest, a place of vital cultural and environmental importance to the Ogiek. This alliance seeks to empower Ogiek women and foster an inclusive dialogue by promoting policies that respect their rights and ancestral knowledge of biodiversity.
The FSC Indigenous Foundation has expanded its collaboration with the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC), the world’s largest Indigenous Peoples’ network, which brings together 135 organizations in 21 African countries. This alliance seeks to promote the defense of the rights, recognition and economic opportunities of Indigenous communities in the management of their lands, in addition to promoting economic activities based on their worldview and traditional knowledge.

These initiatives ensure that Indigenous communities actively participate in decision-making about their lands and resources, as highlighted by leaders such as Nadia Gómez and Maatal Pérez during COP16. The testimonies of these leaders invite us to reflect on the urgency of recognizing the importance of Indigenous participation in the preservation of biodiversity.

Voices from COP16: Listen to our delegation and Indigenous leaders:

Mohamed Handaine – Indigenous knowledge for biodiversity management:
- “If we take the Sahel as an example, we have a water shortage, so the Indigenous Peoples have created extraordinary systems to manage this water shortage.”
Yaily Castillo – Indigenous Youth and Leadership:
- COP16 serves as a space for Indigenous youth from Latin America and the Caribbean to connect and collaborate on leadership and participation strategies.
- “We seek to create useful platforms and tools for the youth network that we are promoting at the FSC Indigenous Foundation.”
Nadia Gómez – Importance of the Participation of Indigenous Peoples:
- COP16 represents a platform for Indigenous youth and veteran leaders to be heard at the global level.
- “Forests and rivers we consider them sources of energy and wisdom and historically, we have been the ones to protect these ecosystems so that today the world enjoys preserved landscapes.”
Carlos Blandón – Resource Mobilization for Indigenous Peoples:
- The objective at COP16 is to establish partnerships with actors from the public and private sectors and multilateral organizations to implement biodiversity agreements.
Maatal Perez – Economic Empowerment of Indigenous Peoples:
- We work under the principle of “free, prior and informed consent” before any intervention, which guarantees respect for the autonomy of the communities.

Listen to each of them and discover how their efforts at COP16 open a path of change and hope for all.

COP16 marked a significant advance in the recognition of the rights of Indigenous Peoples, underscoring their fundamental role in the protection of biodiversity and the sustainable management of ecosystems. This momentum towards inclusion and respect for their ancestral knowledge is crucially projected towards COP30 in Brazil in 2025, where the active participation of Indigenous Peoples will be essential to address the global challenges of biodiversity and climate change.

Indigenous solutions at COP29

FSC Indigenous Foundation engagement at the UN Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan

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At the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), a global coalition is gathering in solidarity in Baku, Azerbaijan, to address the climate crisis. As the world faces increasingly severe environmental disasters, Indigenous Peoples are on the frontlines with the knowledge and solutions needed to combat climate change. Their deep ecological wisdom, sustainable practices, and stewardship of the land are crucial for a sustainable future. Indigenous knowledge is a climate solution.

A green world is an Indigenous world

Indigenous Peoples manage 25% of the Earth’s surface, rich in biodiversity and home to 36% of the world’s intact forests. These territories could contribute up to 37% of global CO2 mitigation by 2030. Their role in tackling the climate crisis is essential. However, their rights must be fully recognized and supported to unlock their potential for climate solutions.

At COP29, the global community must take action to support the rights, self-devlopment, and self-reliance of Indigenous Peoples. When Indigenous Peoples’ rights are respected, their ecological knowledge can guide sustainable resource management for future generations. While stakeholders gather this week in solidarity for a green world, we know that a green world is an Indigenous world, and together, we can make this vision a reality.

The FSC Indigenous Foundation at COP29

We are attending COP29 to highlight the essential role of Indigenous communities in climate action, advocate for direct climate funding to Indigenous Peoples, and engage with diverse stakeholders, implementing our multi-sectoral approach. Our delegation includes:

Salina Sanou, Africa and Asia Regional Director and IPARD Deputy Director

Olga Kostrova, FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) member

Anne Samante, FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) member

Basiru Isa, FSC Permanent Indigenous Peoples Committee (PIPC) member, REPALEAC

Integrating Indigenous Peoples into Nationally Determined Contributions

At COP29, with an increased focus on inclusivity and just transitions, it is imperative to explore how Indigenous Peoples can meaningfully participate in developing and implementing Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). We invite you to join us for a side event at COP29 co-hosted by the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC) and the Network of Indigenous and Local Communities for the Sustainable Management of Forest Ecosystems in Central Africa (REPALEAC) to discuss actionable ways to include Indigenous Peoples in the NDC process.

By creating a platform for dialogue and collaboration, this event aims to bridge the gap between policy frameworks and the grassroots knowledge that Indigenous communities offer.

Find more information below.

COP29 – NDCs side event Download

Find us at other key events organized by the Forest Stewardship Council. More information here.

Indigenous women on the frontline against climate change

Listen to Indigenous women from around the world share how climate change is affecting their communities and the innovative solutions they bring to adapt to and mitigate climate change.

Join us!

The FSC Indigenous Foundation seeks partnerships with governments, multilateral institutions, and the private sector to achieve visionary goals by leveraging the power of your resources, your expertise, and your innovative tools. Let’s work together to elevate Indigenous solutions for climate action and shape policies that respect and incorporate traditional knowledge.

If you would like to meet us during COP29 to discuss how we can build sustainable solutions together, write to us at fsc.if@fsc.org.

Geographic Information Systems for Indigenous forests and communities

Learn about América Anayelli Olguín’s journey bridging technology and ancestral knowledge

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América Anayelli Olguín, a young Indigenous woman from Zacatlán, Mexico, is pursuing a postgraduate degree in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) at UNIGIS Latin America. Her studies are supported by the FSC Indigenous Foundation’s Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program.

The degree focuses on tools for capturing and analyzing geospatial data to support territorial development, agriculture, and environmental conservation in Indigenous territories. As part of the MOCAF Network and the Regional Collective in Defense of Forests and Territory, this knowledge empowers América to strengthen sustainable forest use and community organization initiatives within her community.

“By using these applications, I am able to involve more young people in my community in the development and care of our forests and biodiversity,” she says.

Carrying out the legacy of her ancestors, she is developing land management plans and participatory assessments for forest communities in her region. Watch the video below for the impact these studies will have on her community and territory.

Read an interview with America here.

Join us in supporting the vital work of Indigenous leaders like América. Indigenous leaders have the solutions to protect their territories on which we all depend. By investing in capacity enhancement initiatives, we can promote and scale up these solutions. If you would like to get involved, reach out to us at fsc.if@fsc.org

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The Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program works to enable Indigenous Peoples globally to strengthen their capacities, so they can manage and develop their communities based on their priorities, traditional knowledge, natural resource management, and respect for their rights. It is supported by USAID, the Forest Stewardship Council, and private sector partners.

Rights, recognition, and economic opportunities for Indigenous Peoples across Africa

At COP16 the FSC Indigenous Foundation signed an agreement with the Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC)

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The Indigenous Peoples of Africa Coordinating Committee (IPACC) is the largest Indigenous Peoples’ network in the world, made up of 135 Indigenous Peoples’ organizations in 21 African countries and headquartered in Cape Town, South Africa.

At the Convention on Biological Diversity COP16, the FSC Indigenous Foundation is pleased to announce that we are expanding our collaboration with IPACC. Together, we will work with and for Indigenous Peoples in Africa to promote rights, self-development, and landscapes across the continent.

Our collaboration will focus on:

Capacity sharing to advocate for Indigenous Peoples’ rights in Africa: including strategic planning, IPACC’s women’s strategy, and technical support.

Promoting recognition and participation of Indigenous Peoples: for rights and self-governance of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making related to land and resources management.

Diversifying economic activities rooted in Indigenous cosmovision and traditional knowledge: including resource mapping, partnerships, technical support, and small grants for Indigenous women-led enterprises.

The planned activities are part of the Indigenous Peoples Alliance for Rights and Development (IPARD) Program, supported by USAID, the Forest Stewardship Council, and private sector partners.

We believe that working together with Indigenous Peoples is crucial for both their communities and the well-being of our planet. Join us to create sustainable impact for Africa’s biodiversity and beyond.

For more information, please contact:

Salina Sanou

FSC-IF Regional Director for Africa and Asia and IPARD Deputy Director

s.sanou@fsc.org

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