“The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) welcomes several elements contained in document CBD/SBI/6/6, particularly those aligned with a whole-of-society approach to capacity-building and development.
The traditional knowledge systems and technologies of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, rooted in their territories, governance structures, and cultural practices, are crucial for the effective implementation of the Convention, including the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. As such, Indigenous Peoples and local communities must be part of capacity-building and development processes under the Convention on Biological Diversity and its Protocols. This requires adequate, predictable, and sustained allocation of financial, technical, and human resources specifically dedicated to strengthening capacities on the ground.
The global analysis of capacity needs and gaps must include information provided directly by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, as well as by women, youth, and other stakeholders, regarding gaps and needs in fulfilling their commitments.
We recall paragraphs 5 and 6 of decision 15/10, which highlight the importance of appointing and adequately supporting national traditional knowledge focal points to promote capacity-building and development for Indigenous Peoples and local communities in matters related to the Convention.
Furthermore, decision 15/8 can be strengthened by ensuring that capacity gaps and needs identified by Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and other actors are reflected in the workplans of regional and subregional technical and scientific cooperation support centers, with sufficient resources to respond to those needs.
Capacity-building and technical and scientific cooperation must be grounded in a human rights–based approach, including the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
We call for the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of capacity-building strategies, mechanisms, and programmes, supported by dedicated resources to enable such participation.
Finally, we invite Parties and relevant bodies to ensure that the implementation of the long-term strategic framework for capacity-building and the technical and scientific cooperation mechanism fully integrates the rights, knowledge systems, and specific capacity needs of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Concrete text proposals are included in the statement submitted by the IIFB to the Secretariat in accordance with established procedures.
Thank you, Chair”
The full version of the statement is available at: https://iifb-indigenous.org/…/en-iifb-sbi6-item6…
