UN COP16 Summit Establishes Permanent Indigenous Consultative Body for Global Nature Conservation

At the United Nations COP16 summit on nature, held in Cali, Colombia, nearly 200 nations agreed to form a landmark consultative body for Indigenous communities, empowering them to play a more active role in shaping global conservation efforts. This body, hailed as a significant step forward, will enable Indigenous leaders and communities to directly advise the U.N. on strategies and policies aimed at protecting biodiversity and natural ecosystems worldwide.

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This initiative aligns with the goals of the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which is dedicated to halting the ongoing, rapid decline in biodiversity by the year 2030. With this new consultative body, Indigenous representatives will bring their traditional ecological knowledge to the forefront of environmental decision-making. Indigenous territories are recognized as some of the most biodiverse areas on the planet, often safeguarded by practices rooted in generations of environmental stewardship. The formation of this consultative body highlights the U.N.’s growing recognition of the essential role these communities play in conservation.

Additionally, COP16 approved measures to enhance the involvement of local communities and people of African descent in biodiversity protection. This step acknowledges their contributions and unique connections to nature, and promises them better access to resources for biodiversity projects, helping these communities to participate in international environmental conversations more fully

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By creating an inclusive space for Indigenous voices and recognizing diverse cultural contributions to conservation, the U.N. hopes to implement conservation strategies that are both scientifically sound and culturally informed, providing a foundation for sustainable biodiversity protection into the future.