Implementation of Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and benefit

High Level Segment of COP-11 to CBD – IIFB Statement- Second statement

17. October, Hyderabad, India

Implementation of Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and benefit

Thank you Mr Chairman.

Am presenting this short input on behalf of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity and Indigenous   Women’s  Biodiversity Network.

Mr Chairman, Indigenous peoples and local communities consider that our active participation is important thus the reason for us being here today. Even though we been present throughout the negotiations of the Nagoya Protocol, there is still a long way towards its implementation.

During the six years of negotiations, in and after Nagoya, we all continued working   together building bridges to the implementation of the Protocol. We are however worried and concerned that there seems to be no strong commitment to the ratification. Countries should be more committed and finalize the formulation of their national ABS laws so as to speed up the ratification Process. We do not want to break the bridges, we want them strong.  We as a Forum urge the Parties to do so. We consider that the Nagoya Protocol is a measure to re-establish our rights as indigenous peoples. We cannot achieve any Biodiversity set goals or even the strategic plan unless Nagoya protocol is ratified and implemented.

Likewise, the role of indigenous women is very important to the continuity of our identity, language, culture and traditional knowledge. The link between Genetic resources and traditional knowledge is very important at the level of industrial utilization but even more so at the local cultural level. Traditional knowledge is human rights related.

There is need for  donors to consider funding activities on awareness  creation and capacity building for the ratification process and  an effective implementation of the Nagoya Protocol. This must incorporate diverse and strategic forms of communication. This should be a continuation of a process the CBD secretariat had started after Nagoya. We need this capacity building to reach out further to indigenous peoples and Local communities. This capacity building is one  way to share experiences and exchange views between Government Officials stakeholders, Indigenous peoples and local communities. This is a better way to help enhance and build linkages and collaboration for Countries to achieve successful implementation of the Protocol.

Lastly there are activities and initiatives at the country and regional levels which are efforts towards supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities to understand and develop community protocols that help us understand further the Nagoya protocols these activities should be supported and recognized as ways to reach out to the remote communities of our countries who hardly understand the complicated international instruments. By reaching out will ensure that Indigenous Peoples and local community Prior informed consent will be guaranteed. It is our hope that as custodians of our natural resources we can all work together as partners ready to share benefits and conserve together for the better health of the future generations to come.

Thank you