Mexico proposed a recommendation on the pending issue of transfer of traditional and innovative technologies from indigenous and local communities. 

Colombia said that the recommendation sends a signal to COP-7 to roll all issues on technology transfer into a single decision. Above photo L-R: Fernando Casas (Colombia) and Mohamad bin Osman (Malaysia)

Soumayila Bancé (Burkina Faso) said that many indigenous and local communities do not have access to web-based mechanisms for information exchange, asking for reference to other means of communication.

The IIFB proposed a number of amendments to the draft guidelines on impact assessments, adding inter alia, a paragraph on obtaining indigenous and local communities' prior informed consent at different stages of the assessment process.  

Above photo L-R: Tamara Dionne Stout and Jannie Lasimbang (IIFB)

Saint Lucia asked to include a reference to the medical use of animal derivatives by indigenous and local communities in impact assessments on health.

Liberia said that traditional knowledge plays and essential role in impact assessments, and reiterated that indigenous and local communities are holders and owners of traditional knowledge rather than custodians. Above photo: Ben Donnie (Liberia) making an intervention.

The IIFB also suggested enabling indigenous and local communities to develop their own community development plans and that any development project would have to be in line with these plans. 

Above photo: Indigenous representatives posing for a picture during a break in the working Group session.

Above photo L-R: Jeffrey Beattie (Palau) and Kalimullah Shirazi (Pakistan) reading the ENB before the start of the morning session.

On asking the Article 8(j) Working Group to identify complementary local elements of a sui generis regime on traditional medicine, Canada highlighted the need to consider measures need to protect the over-harvesting of plants for herbal remedies. Above photo: Jock Langford (Canada)

The Coordinating Organization Of Argentinian Indigenous Peoples Associations (COPIRECHA) called for recognizing the collective, inter-generational and transboundary nature of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. Above photo: Ariel Araujo (COPIRECHA) 

Noting that local and indigenous communities should determine access to traditional knowledge, India highlighted a practical problem in implementation when traditional knowledge is held by several indigenous and local communities. Above photo: Desh Deepak Verma (India)

Malaysia stressed the need to distinguish between in situ traditional knowledge (still in possession of indigenous and local communities), and ex situ traditional knowledge  (such as that in possession of governments). Above photo: Peh Suan Yong (Malaysia)

Brazil asked that, in developing sui generis systems for protecting traditional knowledge, these elements not only be relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity but also ensure benefit-sharing arrangements for indigenous and local communities. 

Above photo: Mitzi Gurgel Valente da Costa (Brazil)