COP16 made history by establishing a permanent body dedicated to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), giving them an official “home” within global biodiversity discussions.
The new structure under Section 8(J) grants IPLCs a voice to advise and oversee the integration of Indigenous rights in biodiversity targets, a development hailed as a major milestone.
Indigenous leaders, activists, and government representatives celebrated this victory, with Bolivia’s delegate concluding with a heartfelt “heya, brothers and sisters.”
The symbolic significance of this decision was unmistakable. The body’s mandate aims to address the needs of IPLCs worldwide and promises to direct at least 20% of biodiversity funds to local community projects.
“This is not just about ecosystems; this is about people,” stated Martin Harper, CEO of Birdlife International. “Indigenous Peoples have been the custodians of nature for generations. Now, they’ll have formal support and recognition.”
However, practical challenges threaten to hinder this initiative’s potential. The promise to channel 20% of funds to IPLCs depends on a larger funding framework that remains unstable.
The overall financial shortfall at COP16 means that IPLCs could receive a fraction of what is needed. Currently, only $163 million of the promised $20 billion has been secured, casting doubt on how effective this new body can be without sufficient resources.
This issue was further complicated by opposition from countries like Russia, which has a contentious history with Indigenous rights. Russia, along with India and others, expressed concerns over the inclusion of IPLCs in biodiversity negotiations, particularly around language that emphasized rights for women and children.
Russia sought to delay implementation until COP17, arguing that the mechanism could interfere with domestic sovereignty. Silent protests outside the plenary room highlighted these ongoing struggles, as Indigenous representatives called for immediate implementation.
As one Indigenous leader present at COP16 shared: “We’re on the frontlines every day, protecting our lands and communities. Recognition is one thing, but resources to act is what we really need.”
The new body is a promising step, but its success will hinge on international commitment, especially from wealthier nations, to consistently finance and empower IPLCs to protect biodiversity.
Observers explained that COP16’s outcome for IPLCs represents a historic achievement but also a call to action. For this body to have genuine impact, developed countries must fulfill their financial pledges and show that their commitments to Indigenous rights go beyond words.
