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Fourth
Meeting of the Ad hoc Open-ended Intersessional Working
Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the
Convention on Biological Diversity |
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23 - 27
January 2006 | Granada, Spain
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Highlights
for Monday, 23
January 2006
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The fourth meeting of the Ad hoc Open-ended Intersessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and related provisions (Article 8(j) WG) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) opened in Granada, Spain, on Monday 23 January. In the morning, opening statements were followed by the adoption of the agenda and the organization of work and general statements by participants. In the afternoon, sub-working groups I and II addressed: the composite report on traditional knowledge (TK); the international regime on access to genetic resources and benefit sharing (ABS); participatory mechanisms; and an ethical code of conduct.
Above photo L-R: Datu Vic Saway of
the Talaandig Tribe lead the customary
indigenous prayer during the opening plenary.
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OPENING PLENARY:
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Mohamad
Bin Osman
(Malaysia), on behalf of President of the CBD Conference
of the Parties (COP), opened Article 8(j) WG-4,
expressing his appreciation to Spain for hosting the
meeting.
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Ahmed
Djoghlaf, CBD Executive Secretary, called for active participation from
all citizens of the world to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity
loss. He commended the work of the Article 8(j) working group in raising the
profile of indigenous and local communities in the Convention, particularly
through the development of the Akwé: Kon Guidelines, and encouraged delegates
to focus on enhancing the implementation of the programme of work on Article
8(j). The text of Executive Secretary Djoghlaf's statement to the
citizens of the world can be found on the CBD wesbsite at http://www.biodiv.org/doc/press/2006/pr-2006-01-17-vc-en.pdf. |
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José Torres, Mayor of Granada, welcomed delegates to the city of
Granada.
He also encouraged delegates to visit the different historical attractions of
the city.
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Above photos L-R: Fuensanta Coves, Counselor
for the Environment of Andalucia, emphasized the
need to continue advancing on access to genetic
resources and benefit sharing (ABS) for local
communities. Leire
Pajin, Spain’s Secretary of State for
International Cooperation, assured her country’s
continued support for the work of Article 8(j) WG,
emphasizing the importance of cooperative
multilateralism and noting that the participatory
mechanisms achieved by WG is pioneering development in
the participation of indigenous communities in other
international forums. Cristina
Narbona, Spain’s Minister of Environment, stressed the need for
the Convention to move from recommendations to binding
commitments, and called for establishing a binding
international ABS regime.
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| Above
photos: Representatives from various indigenous groups
giving the customary indigenous prayer during the
opening plenary. |
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STATEMENTS:
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The
International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) said indigenous peoples are the holders of their
knowledge, which is linked to their control of
territories and resources, and cannot be preserved
without recognition of their inherent and inalienable
right to self-determination.
Above photo: Mariano Marcos Terena (IIFB) |
Ecuador,
on behalf of the Group of Latin America and Caribbean
Countries (GRULAC), expressed hope that the meeting
would advance development of sui
generis systems and the ethical code of conduct,
as well as implementation of equitable
benefit-sharing.
Above photo: Antonio Matamoros (Ecuador)
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Kiribati,
on behalf of ASIA AND PACIFIC REGIONAL GROUP, urged
greater involvement of the private sector and NGOs in
implementing Article 8(j) in developing countries.
Above photo: Tererei
Abete-Reema (
Kiribati
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AUSTRALIA
stressed the need to ensure intergenerational sharing
of traditional knowledge.
Above photo: Geoff Burton (Australia) |
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The
FAO
highlighted several relevant initiatives, including on
GURTs and globally important agricultural heritage
systems.
Above photo: Niels Louwaars (FAO) |
UNESCO
highlighted the recent adoption of the Conventions on
the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of
Cultural Expressions and on the Safeguarding of the
Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Above photo: Douglas Nakashima (UNESCO) |
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United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII)
urged respect for their rights and called for their
full and effective participation in the work of the
CBD.
Above photo: Parshuram Tamang (UNPFII)
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Friends
of the Earth and Global Forests Coalition called for
full and effective integration of Article
8(j) working group into all areas of work under CBD.
Above photo: Simone Lovera (Friends
of the Earth and Global Forests Coalition)
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SUB-WORKING GROUP I: COMPOSITE REPORT
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photo L-R: Fred Fortier and Johan
Bodegård (Sweden), Sub-Working Group I
Co-Chairs |
The
IIFB said the report fails to address adequate
measures for traditional knowledge protection.
Above photo: Esther Camac (IIFB)
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EGYPT
proposed an analysis of registers’ implications on
future intellectual property rights of owners of
traditional knowledge and possible benefit-sharing.
Above photo: Elisa Morgera (ENB) in discussion
with Ossama Mohammad El Tayeb (Egypt) |
CHINA
said work is required on the definition, scope and
classification system for traditional knowledge.
Above photo L-R: Weixue Cheng and Dayuan Xue
(China) |
BRAZIL
reported on its national legislation on indigenous
land tenure.
Above photo: Hadil Fontes Da Rocha Vianna
(Brazil) |
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SUB-WORKING
GROUP II: VOLUNTARY FUNDING MECHANISM
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MEXICO
stressed the need to use existing mechanisms, such as
the UN Voluntary Fund on Indigenous Populations.
Above
photo L-R: José Luis Real and Aida López
(Mexico) |
Above
photo L-R: SWG-II
Co-Chairs Abete-Reema (Kiribati) and Lucy
Mulenkei |
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COLOMBIA,
noted that the establishment of the voluntary fund
should not result in an increase in Parties’
statutory contributions.
Above photo: Adriana Mendoza (Colombia) |
Austria,
on behalf of the EU, proposed three guiding principles
for identifying eligible participants: transparency,
objectivity and qualification.
Above photo: Elfriede More (Austria, on behalf
of the EU) |
The
IIFB proposed establishing a board of trustees with
five indigenous representatives to oversee the
fund’s operations.
Above photo: Jannie Lasimbang (IIFB) |
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