IIFB Participation in the Plenary of the Resumed sessions of COP16 (COP16.2)
2025-02-25 11:00 - 2025-02-27 16:00 (America/Guatemala) | FAO Headquearters, Rome, Italy
Participation of the IIFB at the Plenary of the Resumed Session of the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16.2) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

DATE: 25 to 27 February, 2025.
MODALITY: on site.
SUMMARY:
The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) played an active role in the plenary sessions of COP16.2. Building on decades of engagement in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) process, the IIFB contributed substantively to the negotiations by drafting text proposals, reviewing official documents, and facilitating dialogue with Parties to advance the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in global biodiversity governance.
In preparation for the plenary, IIFB led daily preparatory meetings with Indigenous Peoples and local communities from the 7 socio-cultural regions to consolidate common positions on key agenda items:

Item 10: Planning, monitoring, reporting, and review. Click here to check IIFB Position on this agenda item.
Item 11: Resource mobilization and financial mechanisms. Click here to check IIFB Position on this agenda item.
Item 13: Cooperation with international organizations and bodies established under other conventions. Click here to check IIFB Position on this agenda item.

Through strategic engagement and consensus-building, the IIFB reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the respect and recognition of Indigenous Peoples and local communities’ roles, rights and contributions to biodiversity conservation.
Photo Gallery

487743067_984938167074021_2123783025068759339_n487714371_984939440407227_3884419234980893545_n487489222_984938843740620_7415310905730149071_n487457094_984937957074042_146479146032357413_n487394721_984937987074039_7802200715240096229_n487310638_984938980407273_5694375766757621602_n

Webinar: Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and the IPBES assessment of transformative change
2025-04-15 06:00 - 20:00 (America/Bogota) | Online
Webinar: Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and the IPBES assessment of transformative change

DATE: 15th April 2025.
TIME: 1pm-3pm Paris / 7pm-9pm Manila / 6am-8am Bogota
MODALITY: ZOOM. Registration required. Register following this link: https://bit.ly/4j4PYtu
LANGUAGE: English, Spanish and French.
SUMMARY:
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the Network of the Centres of Distinction on Indigenous and Local Knowledge are planning a webinar series discuss the findings of the two recently completed IPBES assessments related to Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
The first webinar will explore the key messages relating to Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the IPBES Assessment of Transformative Change (full title: the Thematic assessment of the underlying causes of biodiversity loss and the determinants of transformative change and options for achieving the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity), which was completed in 2024.
The assessment followed a rigorous approach to working with Indigenous and local knowledge, including dialogue workshops and contributions from authors across a range of disciplines and knowledge systems.
This has resulted in an assessment which highlights and explores the important contributions and roles of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in conceptualizing, visioning, managing and governing transformative change, as well as related opportunities, risks and ways forward.
Key messages from the assessment have been approved by the 147 member countries of IPBES. In this webinar, assessment authors will present the main findings from the assessment, and Indigenous Peoples and local communities will reflect on their perceptions, experiences, management and governance related to transformative change.
Read more about IPBES work with indigenous and local knowledge here and participation by Indigenous Peoples and local communities here.

View FullscreenSkip to PDF content

Side event at UNPFII 2025: Effective Participation of Indigenous Peoples in the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Implementation
2025-04-23 00:00 (America/Guatemala) | 777 United Nations Plaza, New York, NY, United States
Side event at UNPFII 2025: Effective Participation of Indigenous Peoples in the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Implementation
DATE: Wednesday, 23 April 2025
TIME: from 9:00 to 11:00 AM
VENUE: Church Center of the United Nations, 777 United Nations Plaza, 8th Floor, Boss Room, UNPFII.
SUMMARY:
This side event hosted by the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) addressed the following topics:

Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement)
The Cali Fund
Indigenous Peoples and Digital Sequence Information (DSI)
The WIPO Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge.

The discussion panel was led by Viviana Figueroa, Global Technical Coordinator of IIFB and member of the Indigenous Women Network of Biodiversity – LAC (RMIB in Spanish).
The meeting was organized together with the Indigenous Women Network of Biodiversity – LAC (RMIB in Spanish) with the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies.

WhatsApp Image 2025-07-10 at 17.03.15(2)unpfii enWhatsApp Image 2025-07-10 at 17.03.15(1)unpfi2025 es

The IIFB at the 10th Our Ocean Conference
2025-04-28 09:00 - 2025-04-30 17:00 (America/Guatemala) | Busan, South Korea
Our Ocean Conference

DATE: from 28 to 30 of April, 2025.
VENUE: Busan, South Korea.
MODALITY: on site.

SUMMARY:
The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) participated of the 10th Our Ocean Conference as a partner of the Ocean Conservation Project, and as panelist in the Side Event Organized by the Oregon State University “Accountability in Action at the 10th Our Ocean Conference: Progress in Commitments for Ocean and Fisheries health”.

The IIFB presented on the work and achievements in the global spaces of negotiation, specifically the CBD and the synergies with the Our Ocean Conference.

Further the IIFB participated in the panel discussion to present views of how to ensure that Indigenous Peoples and local communities and their knowledge systems are meaningfully integrated into the Our Ocean Conference and the commitment process.

The Our Ocean Conference gathered approximately 1,000 global leaders from various sectors, including heads of state and high-level government officials from over 100 countries, as well as representatives from more than 400 international and non-profit organizations. Together, they discuss diverse and concrete actions for a sustainable ocean.

Webinar: Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and the IPBES assessment of transformative change
2025-05-15 07:00 - 21:00 (America/Bogota) | Online
Webinar: Indigenous Peoples and Local
Communities and the IPBES Nexus Assessment (the Interlinkages among Biodiversity, Water, Food and Health)

DATE: 15th May 2025.
TIME: 2pm-4pm Paris / 8pm-10pm Manila / 7am-9am Bogota
MODALITY: ZOOM. Registration required. Register following this link: https://bit.ly/4j4PYtu
LANGUAGE: English, Spanish and French.
SUMMARY:
The Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the Network of the Centres of Distinction on Indigenous and Local Knowledge are planning a webinar series discuss the findings of the two recently completed IPBES assessments related to Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
This second webinar will explore the key messages relating to Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the IPBES Assessment Report on the Interlinkages among Biodiversity, Water, Food and Health (the Nexus Assessment), which was completed in 2024.
The assessment followed a rigorous approach to working with Indigenous and local
knowledge (ILK), including dialogue workshops and contributions from authors (including Indigenous authors) across a range of disciplines and knowledge systems.
The assessment explores the ways in which Indigenous Peoples and local communities conceptualize the nexus and interlinkages within nature, as well as the important role of their knowledge and actions in understanding, managing and governing these interlinkages.
Key messages from the assessment have been approved by the 147 member countries of IPBES. In this webinar, assessment authors and Indigenous Peoples and local communities will reflect on the findings of the assessment, ways forward and next steps.
Read more about IPBES work with indigenous and local knowledge here and participation by Indigenous Peoples and local communities here.

View FullscreenSkip to PDF content

IIFB at UNOC3: A toolkit for achieving effective area-based conservation in the ocean: The MPA Guide and mOECM Guide
2025-06-10 12:45 - 14:15 (America/Toronto) | UNOC3, Nice, France
A toolkit for achieving effective area-based conservation in the ocean: The MPA Guide and mOECM Guide
DATE: 10 June 2025
TIME: 12.45 to 14.15 hs (Nice time)
VENUE: La Baleine/Green zone, #ForTheCoral Pavillion, Auditorium
LANGUAGE: English
SUMMARY:
In the framework of the high-level 2025 United Nations Conference to Support the Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development (the 2025 UN Ocean Conference), which will be held in Nice, France, from 9 – 13 June 2025, the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) will host the event A toolkit for achieving effective area-based conservation in the ocean: The MPA Guide and mOECM Guide.
This event is organized with the Oregon State University (OSU), the UN Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre, the Marine Conservation Institute, National Gepgraphic Pristine Seas and the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA).
The 2025 UN Ocean Conference, co-hosted by the Governments of France and Costa Rica, will take place from 9 to 13 June 2025 in Nice, France.
The 2025 UN Ocean Conference will be focused on “Accelerating action and mobilizing all actors to conserve and sustainably use the ocean”. It will seek to support the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14 (SDG14), with three main priorities, to produce an ambitious Nice Ocean Action Plan
Click here to learn more on the 2025 UN Ocean Conference.

Expert workshop to support the implementation of Tasks 1.1 and 1.2 of the programme of work on Article 8(j) and other provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity related to indigenous peoples and local communities to 2030
2025-07-22 08:00 - 2025-07-24 10:00 (America/Guatemala) | The Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity, 8th Floor JWH Conference Room (Suite 800) 413 St-Jacques Street West, Montreal, Canada
DATE: 22-24 July 2025.
VENUE: Montreal, Canada.

SUMMARY:
In decision 16/4, the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity adopted a programme of work on Article 8(j) and other provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity related to indigenous peoples and local communities to 2030, prioritizing those tasks that contribute directly to the
timely, full and effective implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
At its first meeting, to be held in October 2025, the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and Other Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity Related to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities will consider Tasks 1.1 and 1.2 of the programme of work.
A total of 29 experts attended the expert workshop to support the implementation of Tasks 1.1 and 1.2 of the programme of work on Article 8(j) and other provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity related to indigenous peoples and local communities to 2030: 11 experts nominated by Parties, 15 experts nominated by organizations of indigenous peoples and local communities and 3 experts nominated by relevant organizations.
Among them, were two representatives of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB): Ramiro Batzín Chojoj, Co- Chair of IIFB, and Jennifer Corpuz, one of the IIFB representatives that led the negotiations at COP16.

Meeting Documents
Visit the official website of the Expert Workshop.

Report of the Expert Workshop
Download PDF (English)

ITTs Workshop Preparatory Meeting I
2025-08-26 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Guatemala) | Online
Indigenous and Traditional Territories (ITTs) International Workshop and Biodiversity Conservation (ITTs workshop) Preparatory Meeting I
DATE: 26 August 2025.
TIME: 8 – 10 AM Montreal Time / 9 – 11 AM Brasilia Time
VENUE: Online
SUMMARY:
The first preparatory meeting for the Indigenous and Traditional Territories (ITTs) International Workshop and Biodiversity Conservation was held on 26 August via Zoom. This session introduced and discussed the main topics that will be addressed during the ITTs Workshop, ensuring participants are well-prepared to engage in the upcoming discussions.
AGENDA
Download PDF (English)
Photo Gallery

ITTs Workshop Preparatory Meeting II
2025-08-28 08:00 - 10:00 (America/Guatemala) | Online
Indigenous and Traditional Territories (ITTs) International Workshop and Biodiversity Conservation (ITTs workshop) Preparatory Meeting II

DATE: 28 August 2025.
TIME: 8 – 10 AM Montreal Time / 9 – 11 AM Brasilia Time
VENUE: Online

SUMMARY:
The second preparatory meeting for the Indigenous and Traditional Territories (ITTs) International Workshop and Biodiversity Conservation was held on 28 August via Zoom. This session introduced and discussed the main topics that will be addressed during the ITTs Workshop, ensuring participants are well-prepared to engage in the upcoming discussions.

Agenda
Download PDF (English).

Photo Gallery

Captura de pantalla (108)Captura de pantalla (92)Captura de pantalla (102)Captura de pantalla (94)Captura de pantalla (90)Captura de pantalla (106)Captura de pantalla (101)Captura de pantalla (99)Captura de pantalla (110)Captura de pantalla (116)Captura de pantalla (117)Captura de pantalla (112)

International Workshop on Indigenous and Traditional Territories (ITTs) and Biodiversity Conservation
2025-09-02 08:00 - 2025-09-05 10:00 (America/Guatemala) | Manaus, Brazil
DATE: 2 to 5 September, 2025.
VENUE: Manaus, Brazil.

SUMMARY:

The International Workshop on Indigenous and Traditional Territories (ITTs) and Biodiversity Conservation will bring together Indigenous Peoples’ experts from the seven socio-cultural regions to exchange knowledge and views on the vital role of ITTs in conserving and restoring biodiversity, advancing spatial planning, and addressing climate change.
The workshop will strengthen the capacity of Indigenous Peoples and local communities to engage in the implementation of the New Programme of Work on Article 8(j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and to contribute effectively to the First meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and Other Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity Related to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (SB8j-1), which will take place in October 2025 in Panama.
The workshop will address the global recognition that Indigenous Peoples and local communities conserve biodiversity in their Indigenous and Traditional Territories (ITTs) without these being Protected Areas (PAs) or Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), which marks a new pathway in the conservation paradigm.
The recommendations of the workshop will be presented at the First meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and Other Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity Related to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (SB8J-1) (Panama City, 27–30 October 2025), the IUCN World Conservation Congress (Abu Dhabi, 9-15 October 2025), and the United Nations Climate Change Conference – COP30 (Belém, 10 – 21 November 2025).

Visit the official webpage of the ITTs Workshop to learn more.

World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature
2025-10-08 00:00 - 2025-10-10 00:00 (America/Guatemala) | Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Khaleej Al Arabi St - Al Rawdah - W59 01 - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates, Abu Dabi, United Arab Emirates
World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature
Our Traditional Knowledge is the Language of Mother Earth

DATE: October 8–10, 2025
VENUE: DNEC, Abu Dhabi
FORMAT: By invitation only
Summary:
Under the name “World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature: Our Traditional Knowledge is the Language of Mother Earth,” and through through the PODONG Indigenous Peoples Initiative, the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), and the IUCN Indigenous Peoples’ Organization (IPO) Members will host the first-ever in-person Indigenous Peoples Summit during the UCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
From October 8–10, 2025, over 100 Indigenous leaders from around the world will convene in dialogue with IUCN to strengthen Indigenous-led conservation, shape global policy, and advance a unified Indigenous agenda.
This gathering will help define new priorities and commitments for IUCN and the broader conservation community in relation to Indigenous Peoples and their vital role in conservation.

Lucy Mulenkei, Co-Chair of IIFB and and Executive Director of the Indigenous Information Network (IIN); Ramiro Batzin, Co-chair of IIFB and Vice President and advisor to the IUCN; Viviana Figueroa, Global Technical Coordinator of IIFB; and Onel Masardule, Executive Director of the Foundation for the Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge (FPCI), will be feature speakers of this event.

The Summit will also feature the first Indigenous Peoples Pavilion, an interactive, self-curated space showcasing stories, conservation practices, traditional knowledge and innovations from Indigenous communities worldwide.
Building on the legacy of Marseille and carrying it forward to Abu Dhabi, this historic gathering marks a new chapter in recognizing Indigenous leadership in achieving the goals of the IUCN Global Indigenous Agenda, the CDB’s Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Paris Agreement under the UNFCCC.
This Summit is made possible thanks to the generous support from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).
Visit this website to learn more on the World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature: Our Traditional Knowledge is the Language of Mother Earth.
VIEW THE PROGRAMME

IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025
2025-10-09 09:00 - 2025-10-15 18:00 (America/Toronto) | Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Al Khaleej Al Arabi St - Al Rawdah - W59 01 - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates, Abu Dabi, United Arab Emirates
IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025. Powering transformative conservation
DATE: from 9 to 15 October 2025.
VENUE: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
SUMMARY:
Held once every four years, the IUCN World Conservation Congress brings together several thousand leaders and decision-makers from government, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, business, and academia, with the goal of conserving the environment and harnessing the solutions nature offers to global challenges.
With only five years remaining until the 2030 deadline for the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals, and Global Biodiversity Framework, the IUCN Congress 2025 emerges as a pivotal opportunity to elevate ambition, accelerate action and scale up collaborative solutions that address the needs of both nature and people, ensuring that sustainability efforts are equitable and just.
The Congress will tackle five critical themes, each driving the bold, transformative change needed to secure a sustainable future for both nature and humanity:

Scaling Up Resilient Conservation Action
Reducing Climate Overshoot Risks
Delivering on Equity
Transitioning to Nature-Positive Economies and Societies
Disruptive Innovation and Leadership for Conservation

Visit the new Congress website to find out more.
In the framework of the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, IUCN, the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), and IUCN Indigenous Peoples’ Organisation (IPO) Members, through the PODONG Indigenous Peoples Initiative, will host the World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature: Our Traditional Knowledge is the Language of Mother Earth.
The Summit will be the first ever in-person global Indigenous Peoples’ Summit of its kind. From 8 to 10 October, more than 100 Indigenous leaders from across the world will gather in Abu Dhabi, alongside IUCN, philanthropic allies, private sector actors, multilateral and bilateral donors, and the wider conservation community.
This Summit is made possible thanks to the generous support from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).
Visit this website to learn more on the World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature: Our Traditional Knowledge is the Language of Mother Earth.

2025 United Nations Climate Change Conference
2025-11-10 08:00 - 2025-11-21 18:30 (America/Guatemala) | Belém, Pará, Belém, Pará, Brazil
Thirtieth Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 30)
DATE: 10 to 21 November 2025.
VENUE: Belém, Pará.

SUMMARY:
The thirtieth Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP 30) will take place in Belém, Pará, in the heart of the Amazon, in Brasil, from 10 to 21 November 2025, to tackle the global challenge of climate change.
The meeting comprises the thirtieth session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 30), the twentieth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol (CMP 20), and the seventh session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement (CMA 7).
COP30 is expected to feature the largest Indigenous participation in the history of the conference, according to the Brazilian government. Minister of Indigenous Peoples Sonia Guajajara estimates that about 3,000 members of Indigenous peoples from around the world will take part in the debates this November. Of these, 1,000 are expected to participate in official negotiations inside the Blue Zone—500 from Brasil and 500 from other countries. The remainder will be present in the Green Zone, designated for civil society observers.
The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) will participate of this event presenting the results of the International Workshop on Indigenous and Traditional Territories and Biodiversity Conservation. More details on this event coming soon.
For detailed information on COP30, visit the Government of Brazil Presidency website.
Photo Gallery

Coming soon
