ENB:13:10
[Next] .
[Previous] .
[Contents]
TRADITIONAL FOREST-RELATED KNOWLEDGE
Anthony Gross introduced the Secretary General’s Report (E/CN.17/IPF/1996/9) prepared by the CBD Secretariat. It encourages cooperation and communication between the COP of the CBD and IPF in considering protection of traditional knowledge of indigenous and local communities, and highlights conservation, sustainable use, and benefits-sharing.
The G-77/CHINA said CBD discussions should not dictate the work of IPF, which should address the broader context of SFM. He referred to the Forest Principles and proposed text on the relations between indigenous and local communities and forests’ biodiversity and on compensating traditional knowledge and practices. MALAYSIA said the text should describe traditional knowledge in relation to SFM, not only to biodiversity, and should note CBD’s competence regarding forest biodiversity rather than forests.
GHANA said IPF should identify ways to integrate traditional knowledge into forest management practices and include incentives and compensation. COLOMBIA said IPF needs methodologies to implement the rights of traditional peoples and procedures for technology transfer and resources for cooperation. BRAZIL said IPF should foster analysis through studies and promote the exchange of national experiences. He called for: technology transfer; joint ventures in biotechnology; conservation of endangered ecosystems; and enhancing the sharing of benefits of commercial use of traditional knowledge.
ZIMBABWE said methodologies in use should be highlighted to draw on existing indigenous knowledge. TANZANIA said the document should develop strategies to protect rights and benefits sharing and consider biodiversity buffer zones. WWF recommended establishing intersessional consultations and a workshop on instruments for indigenous peoples’ rights in national legislation and their expression in an international instrument.
The US said traditional knowledge may be more widely applied in forests of similar ecosystems. IPF’s focus should be on use of traditional knowledge. IUCN emphasized indigenous management systems, local land-use practices, indigenous land ownership and traditional institutions. INDIA noted the potential for prospecting its natural wealth but stressed that indigenous knowledge should be recognized through benefit sharing regimes.
CANADA highlighted a national consultative exercise that will produce an input to IPF-3. IPF should focus on the use of indigenous knowledge, and leave its protection to other fora. UGANDA said the report dwells on CBD and IPF but does not reflect the Forest Principles. He proposed a review of the report’s context and approaches and recommended that IPF solicit intersessional initiatives on this topic.
NEW ZEALAND said IPF should not extend beyond forest related issues. She highlighted the importance of developing methods for analysis of traditional knowledge and identifying constituents, stakeholders, users and beneficiaries. The PHILIPPINES called for further discussion on guidelines for countries to develop their own sui generis systems and recalled a Forest Principles provision on indigenous people. She emphasized biodiversity conservation, sustainable use of resources and equitable sharing of benefits. GERMANY said local communities are often restricted from applying their knowledge in its entirety and called for support in adapting their knowledge accordingly. KENYA said the international community should support documentation of the traditional knowledge of local communities.