One of the key objectives of COP15 is to protect 30% of marine surfaces and 30% of land surfaces. This dual objective appears necessary to protect biodiversity and even restore it, in addition to having the virtue of being easy to grasp; the 30*30 formula is easy to communicate.
However, this dual objective is of concern to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC), as they expressed on December 14, a day organized by the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity and which was dedicated to them within the framework of COP15.
This is indeed an essential issue insofar as 80% of the listed biodiversity is found on the lands of IPLCs (Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities), who obviously know how to protect it effectively.
Among the issues raised is the crucial issue of the status of protected lands. The IPLCs wonder to what extent the lands of indigenous peoples will be considered in the new protected areas, to what extent these populations will be informed and consulted in this process, and if they will be able to continue to practice their traditional activities, in particular those related to their subsistence.
There is also the issue of the type of conservation envisaged. Will it be an ecological vision, that is to say one that considers biodiversity above all with a count of species? Or of a more open vision, qualified as integral or biocultural, that is to say which takes into account not only the populations of these territories, but also their conceptions of the world, including traditional, spiritual and governance practices ? In the first case, conservation measures could exclude local populations or limit their activities, while in the second case, it becomes imperative to take them into account.
Finally, there is the question of respect for the local governance bodies of the communities, together with the consideration of their knowledge and practices. The very capacity of these communities to ensure their existence and sustainability, and to carry out the conservation of the resources present in their territories, while securing their food needs and their future, is therefore at stake.
Respect and partnership
What is at stake here is respect for the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities as enshrined in international texts: the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Convention 169 of the International Labor Organization , the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as the UN Declaration on the Rights of Peasants (for those engaged in agricultural activities).
Anticipating all these debates, indigenous peoples are working hand in hand with UNESCO and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and promoting Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), whose recognition will grow. .
This type of protected area, which is most often managed by indigenous peoples or local communities (and not by a state), has the potential to secure access to the territory, promote lifestyles and promote the conservation of biodiversity by those who know it most closely and respect it.
These questions are essential, whether in countries like Tanzania, Peru or Brazil, but also in Canada. Indeed, in the light of the debates that are taking place today, although it is interesting to consider the recognition of new indigenous protected areas, we must remain vigilant about the ins and outs of their implementation. The participation of IPLCs is indeed essential not only for their own well-being, but also for all of humanity.