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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|

E N B
S U M M A R Y

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Highlights for Friday, 12 December 2003
On Friday, Working Group Chair Hans Hoogeveen (the Netherlands) opened the closing Plenary. Delegates adopted 10 recommendations on: the integration of the work programme on Article 8(j) into the thematic areas of the CBD; progress in the implementation of the work programme; recommendations from the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (PFII); genetic use restriction technologies (GURTs); elements for a sui generis system for the protection of indigenous and local communities' knowledge, innovations and practices; participatory and communication mechanisms for the effective involvement of indigenous and local communities in matters related to the objectives of Article 8(j); draft guidelines for the conduct of cultural, environmental and social impact assessments regarding developments proposed to take place on, or which are likely to impact on, sacred sites and on lands and waters traditionally occupied or used by indigenous and local communities; the composite report regarding the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities; and technology transfer and cooperation. The recommendations will be forwarded to the seventh meeting of the CBD Conference of the Parties (COP-7), to be held from 9-20 February 2004, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 

The closing Plenary also adopted the meeting's report, and heard closing statements. 

CLOSING PLENARY:


Above photos: China, Brazil, Argentina and others consult to reach compromise language on the communities' right to control access, and the need for communities' PIC when using traditional knowledge already accessed without PIC, being subject to international law. In the end, delegates agreed to retain brackets on both references to international law and resume discussions on this issue at COP-7.
REPORT OF THE SUB-WORKING GROUPS:


SWG-I co-Chair Herity and SWG-II co-Chair Black Layne reported on the proceedings of SWG-I and SWG-II, respectively and, with SWG-I co-Chair Stevenson and SWG-II co-Chair Mulenkei, expressed their appreciation to delegates, the Secretariat and support staff.  SWG-I co-Chair Herity commended indigenous participants for their professionalism.


CLOSING STATEMENTS:


India, on behalf of the Asian region, Egypt, on behalf of the African group, Colombia, on behalf of the Latin American and Caribbean Group (GRULAC), Mexico (above), on behalf of the Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries (LMMC), the IIFB and the US expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the organizers of the meeting.



India, on behalf of the Asian region, recalled Ghandi's statement that there is enough on earth for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed. 
Above photo: Desh Deepak Verma (India)




Egypt, on behalf of the African Group, stressed the need to coordinate efforts with other relevant organizations. 
Above photo: Ossama El-Tayeb (Egypt)



Colombia, on behalf of GRULAC, praised the efforts of indigenous representatives. Above photos: Fernando Casas (Colombia)




Stressing the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, Mexico, on behalf of the LMMC urged developed countries to provide additional financial resources to enable developing countries to fulfill their obligations with regard to Article 8(j). Above photo: Luz Maria Ortiz (Mexico)



The IIFB expressed appreciation for inclusive discussions and highlighted: concerns that free PIC and recognition of customary laws continue to be debated; the need for resources to ensure indigenous participation in the elaboration of the composite report; progress in shifting from intellectual property based systems to truly sui generis ones for the protection of traditional knowledge; the need for urgent action to enforce COP decision V/5 on GURTs; access to information as a key for effective participation; and the need for indigenous networks and for governments' contributions to the voluntary fund to promote participation. Above photo: Fred Fortier (IIFB)



CBD Executive Secretary Hamdallah Zedan said indigenous involvement is essential to achieve the 2010 target to significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss, and expressed his appreciation to the Mohawk and indigenous community, Working Group Chair Hoogeveen and delegates.

 



Working Group Chair Hans Hoogeveen (the Netherlands) commended delegates for their hard work, constructive and cooperative spirit, and expressed hope that the Article 8(j) Working Group would be taken as a model for indigenous participation by the other Rio conventions. He invited delegates to give a standing ovation to the Secretariat for its work and dedication, and gavelled the meeting to a close at 1.50 pm.

 

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