After two weeks of negotiations, delegates agreed Saturday at COP16, the United Nations Conference on Biological Diversity in Cali, Colombia, to create a subsidiary body to involve indigenous peoples in future conservation decisions. This is a significant development based on a growing recognition movement. the role of indigenous peoples in protecting lands and combating climate change.
The delegations also agreed to demand large companies, especially the pharmaceutical industry, to share the financial benefits from research into the use of natural genetic resources.
Indigenous delegations broke into cheers and tears after the historic decision to establish the subsidiary body was announced.
It recognizes and protects the traditional knowledge systems of indigenous peoples and local communities for the benefit of global and national biodiversity management, said Sushil Raj, director of the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Global Program on Rights and Communities.