From 13 to 14 August 2026, Indigenous Peoples and local communities will participate in the Informal dialogue on the outcomes of the first meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j), with a focus on the modus operandi of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), to be held in Nairobi, Kenya.

Introduction

In decision 16/5, the Conference of the Parties decided to establish a Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and Other Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity related to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.

          In the same decision, the Conference of the Parties, requested the Subsidiary Body, at its first meeting, to further elaborate and finalize its modus operandi on the basis of the draft contained in recommendation 12/2 of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intersessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention, taking into consideration the consolidated modus operandi of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice and the modus operandi of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation, as well as established procedures of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intersessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention, and to submit it for consideration at the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties with a view to its adoption. 

          At its first meeting, the Subsidiary Body adopted recommendation SB8J-1/2 on its modus operandi. The Conference of the Parties, at its seventeenth meeting, will be invited to consider the draft decision, contained in recommendation SB8J-1/2. The text of the modus operandi, as annexed to the recommendation, remains fully bracketed and contains several brackets, reflecting many divergent views among Parties on several issues, including: 

(i) to modalities for the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in the governance structure of the Subsidiary Body, and

(ii) regional basis to be used for such participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, including the seven socio-cultural regions or five regional groups.