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Third Meeting of the Ad hoc Open-ended Inter-sessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity

Montreal, Canada; 8-12 December 2003

 
Daily Web Coverage |Curtain| |Mon 8| |Tue 9| |Wed 10| |Thu 11| |Fri 12|

Highlights for Thursday, 11 December 2003

Delegates to the third meeting of the Open-ended Inter-Sessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) convened in sub-working group sessions throughout the day. Sub-Working Group I (SWG-I) considered a co-Chairs' text on the composite report on status and trends, and conference room papers (CRP) on the draft Akwé: Kon guidelines for impact assessments and on technology transfer. Sub-Working Group II (SWG-II) discussed co-Chairs' texts on participatory mechanisms and genetic use restriction technologies (GURTs), CRPs on participatory mechanisms and sui generis systems for the protection of traditional knowledge, and an L document on GURTs. A brief Plenary session was held in the afternoon to review progress.

Above photo: Indigenous representative presenting a gift to Hamdallah Zedan, CBD Executive Secretary during the afternoon plenary.


SUB-WORKING GROUP I:


Kenya proposed including socioeconomic aspects into social impact assessments. Above photo L-R: Fellow Kenyans SWG-II Co-Chair Lucy Mulenkei (African Indigenous Women Organization) and Consolata Kiragu (Kenya)


Malaysia explained that land tenure and land use claims are different issues and should be addressed in separate paragraphs of the draft action plan for the retention of traditional knowledge. Above photo: Mohamad bin Osman (Malaysia)


Iran pointed out that the use of traditional knowledge should be promoted and facilitated rather than protected. 
Above photo: Mostafa Panahi (Iran)


The IUCN suggested that the national focal points for traditional knowledge be used for information exchange for the preparation of the composite report. 
Above photo: Gonzalo Oviedo (IUCN)




The IIFB argued that population data on indigenous peoples should not be used as an indicator for the retention of traditional knowledge, as data is often old, inaccurate or incomplete, and does not reflect the use and development of knowledge in individual communities.

Argentina asked for a reference ensuring that the guidelines on impact assessments are used in consistency with other international obligations. Above photo: Cecilia M. Veronica Quadri (Argentina)



The IIFB suggested establishing an indigenous advisory group or steering committee to assist in the review and further elaboration of the composite report on the status and trends of traditional knowledge.


Canada said users of traditional knowledge should respect and promote community codes of ethics, and governments should facilitate the development of additional codes by indigenous and local communities, where these do not exist. Above photo L-R: Robert McFetridge and Peigi Wilson (Canada )

 

SUB-WORKING GROUP II:


China proposed to delete the reference to cooperation with other international institutions. Above photo: Ting Li  and Yanmei Li (China)

 


Senegal asking the EU whether they were proposing to make support for developing countries dependent on the participatory approach. Above photo: Samuel Dieme (Senegal)



Uganda and Tanzania, with Brazil, introduced text inviting Parties and Governments to enhance the capacity of indigenous and local communities to collaborate with national research organizations and universities in order to identify research and training needs in relation to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. 
Above photos L-R: David Hafashimana  (Uganda) discussing text with Mitzi Gurgel Valente Da Costa (Brazil) and Wilbard Abeli (Tanzania)



The European Community urged to maintain the annex with draft elements for sui generis systems. Above photo: Nicola Notaro (EC)


Noting the need to avoid discriminating among indigenous and local communities, the IIFB supported the EU proposal that the voluntary funding mechanism facilitate participation in CBD meetings of indigenous and local communities, "in particular" from developing countries and countries with economies in transition. Above photo: Merle Alexander and Esther Camac



Mexico, supported by the EU and the IIFB, proposed promoting synergies between international environmental instruments. 

Above photo: Claudia Ituarte Lima (right) (Mexico) in discussion with delegates from Namibia and the Netherlands.

 


Working Group Chair Hans Hoogeven (the Netherlands) introduced a modified paragraph on incorporating practical measures to enhance the participation of indigenous and local communities, where appropriate, in the working groups of the CBD, SBSTTA and the COP, in accordance with the rules of procedure. 

Above photo: Working Group Chair Hans Hoogeven coordinating with Barbara Slee and Maartje C.W. Peters (the Netherlands).


PLENARY:


The IIFB presented Working Group Chair Hoogeveen and CBD Executive Secretary Hamdallah Zedan with indigenous handicrafts.



SWG-I Co-Chair John Herity (Canada) reported on progress made by Sub-Working Group I and reported on completion of the draft Akwe: Kon guidelines on cultural, environmental and social impact assessments. 

SWG-II Co-Chair Diann Black Layne (Antigua and Barbuda) reported on progress made by Sub-Working Group II.  



Above photo L-R: SWG-I Co-Chair Earl Stevenson (Peguis First Nation) receiving a bottle of wine from Working Group Chair Hans Hoogeven. In return Co-Chair Stevenson presented Chair Hoogeveen with a flag of the Peguis First Nation.

Above photo: SWG-II Co-Chair Lucy Mulenkei (African Indigenous Women Organization) was all smiles receiving the bottle of wine.

Links

ENB Coverage and Summary (HTML, PDF, TEXT) of the First Meeting of the  Ad Hoc Open-ended Intersessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the convention on Biological Diversity
ENB Coverage and Summary (HTML, PDF, TEXT) of the Second Meeting of the  Ad Hoc Open-ended Intersessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the convention on Biological Diversity
ENB Coverage and Summary (HTML, PDF, TEXT) of CBD SBSTTA-9
ENB coverage of the First Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Access and Benefit-Sharing
ENB archives of CBD meetings
CBD web site
CBD Article 8(j) official meeting documents 
SD summary and coverage of the Vth IUCN World Parks Congress.
SD summary of the Norway/UN Conference on Technology Transfer and Capacity Building.  
First Meeting of the CGRFA acting as Interim Committee for the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
World Intellectual Property Organization
UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues