AFN BULLETIN – February 2, 2023 – Elevating First Nations’ leadership to address biodiversity loss at COP15: UN Convention on Biological Diversity 2022

AFN BULLETIN – February 2, 2023 – Elevating First Nations’ leadership to address biodiversity loss at COP15: UN Convention on Biological Diversity 2022

February 2, 2023

SUMMARY: 

• The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) sent a delegation to the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Montreal, Canada, December 7 to 19, 2022.
• The AFN’s delegation at COP15 was led by Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, and included Jenni Matchet (AFN Yukon), Chief Jerry Jack (BCAFN) as well as AFN staff Curtis Scurr, Wanli Ou, and John Cheechoo.
• COP 15 in Montreal sealed a landmark agreement to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, while ensuring that the rights of Indigenous Peoples are protected, as reflected throughout the 23 targets and four goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Intro/Background

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is an international agreement amongst 196 countries with three objectives:

• The conservation of biological diversity (or biodiversity)
• The sustainable use of its components
• The fair and equitable sharing of benefits from the use of genetic resources

AFN has participated in the CBD for several years, and specifically on the development of the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. As the CBD is a state-driven process, the AFN participates on the Canadian delegation as well as the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), a caucus that organizes Indigenous participation at the CBD. The AFN sent a delegation to the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) for the CBD that took place in Montreal, Canada, from December 7 to 19, 2022.

Issues

Globally there are record numbers of plant and animal species threatened with extinction, while widespread habitat destruction, pollution, and resource overextraction are increasing food and water insecurity around the world. First Nations’ Knowledge Keepers have been raising their voices about the changes they are observing: changes in species migration, weather, and irreversible impacts on their lands and waters. Urgent action is needed to address climate change and biodiversity loss.

COP15 Priorities

The AFN continues to advance several priorities related to protecting biological and cultural diversity, consistent with the two resolutions: 03/2019, The Convention on Biological Diversity and 07/2019, First Nations’ Oceans Priorities at the Convention on Biological Diversity. The AFN released a position paper, Setting First Nation Expectations for COP 15, in advance of COP 15.

This position paper outlined the following priorities:

• Elevate and support First Nations leadership in conservation within sub-national, national, and international biodiversity policy.
• Uplift Indigenous Peoples’ governance, rights, and knowledge systems within the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Ensure the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in the CBD.

Highlights

AFN’s delegation at COP15 was led by Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek, and included Jenni Matchett (AFN Yukon), Chief Jerry Jack (BCAFN) as well as AFN staff Curtis Scurr, Wanli Ou, and John Cheechoo. Highlights included:

• Regional Chief Adamek addressed the plenary of the Nature & Culture Summit on a panel speaking on the critical importance of First Nations self-determination in protecting and safeguarding biodiversity.
• Regional Chief Adamek met with Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada, Steven Guilbeault, stressing the importance of strong language on the rights of Indigenous Peoples within the text of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
• AFN participated in the meetings of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) to advance First Nations’ priorities on the international stage.
• AFN staff participated and moderated several panels on Indigenous-led conservation, including one with Chief Doug Neasloss (Kitasoo/Xai’xais Band Council), Patricia Nash (Unama’ki Institute of Natural Resources), and Vern Cheechoo (Mushkegowuk Council) in the Indigenous Pavilion. Panelists described their community-led marine conservation initiatives to the audience, which included Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
• AFN assisted the Kahnawá:ke First Nation in organizing a reception for Indigenous delegates from all over the world at the Kahnawá:ke cook house and long house.

Outcomes

• The UN Biodiversity Conference in Montreal sealed a landmark agreement to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), with four goals and 23 action-oriented targets, effectively replaces the Aichi Biodiversity Targets set in 2010.
• Strong language regarding the protection and respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples to their lands, territories, and resources, as well as their free, prior, and informed consent with regards to the use of traditional knowledge, and their full and effective participation, was secured within the GBF.
• A key target in the agreement commits countries to ensure that by 2030, at least 30 percent of terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas are effectively conserved and managed through protected areas and other effective area-based conservation mechanisms. More significantly, this target should be achieved with the respect for the rights of Indigenous Peoples over their territories.
• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed C$350M in international funding for biodiversity conservation efforts in developing countries and C$800M domestically to four Indigenous-led conservation projects through Project Finance for Permanence (PFP), an innovative long-term approach to conservation financing.
• Environment Minister Guilbeault announced the launch of the National First Nations Guardians Network along with the Indigenous Leadership Initiative.

Overall, AFN achieved its objectives as the GBF reflects a high level of ambition to reverse and halt biodiversity loss while including strong language within key targets on recognizing, respecting, and protecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples, in recognition of the contributions of Indigenous Peoples to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The text received overwhelming support from the IIFB. The AFN will continue to advance First Nations’ leadership and contributions toward the domestic implementation of the GBF.

For more information, please contact:

Ayman Hammamieh
Communications Officer
Assembly of First Nations
343-573-1771 (mobile)
[email protected]

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