INTERNATIONAL INDIGENOUS FORUM ON BIODIVERSITY
PUBLIC STATEMENT ON TARGET 3 CDB COP 15

Republished from Cultural Survival, December 1, 2022, https://www.culturalsurvival.org/news/international-indigenous-forum-biodiversity-public-statement-target-3-cdb-cop-15.

The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) underscores the importance of ensuring a rights-based approach in the implementation of Target 3 of the global biodiversity framework, specifically including “protecting and respecting” our rights.

We reiterate that Target 3 will not be fully realized if our contributions to conservation are not included as the most effective measure for the protection of Mother Nature. Overwhelming evidence demonstrates that our territories, lands and waters exceed the conservation outcomes of protected areas and other state-centric conservation approaches.

Thus, the IIFB urges parties to include “Indigenous Peoples territories and customary lands and waters” as a third pathway to recognition beyond protected areas and OECMs.

We urge parties to consider this position in their negotiations of Target 3.