Meeting on article 10 with a focus on article 10 (c) as a major component of the programme of work on article 8 (j) and related provisions of the Convention

At its tenth meeting, the Conference of the Parties in decision X/43, decided on a new major component of the revised work programme for article 8(j)and related provisions, namely the sustainable use of biological diversity with a focus on customary sustainable use (CBD Article 10 (c)).

The mandate of the meeting within the broader framework of the programme of work on Article 8 (j) and Related Provisions, and as instructed by the Conference of the Parties in Decision X/43 was to provide expert advice,

“building on the Addis Ababa Principles and Guidelines, to develop further guidance on sustainable use and related incentive measures for indigenous and local communities and to consider measures to increase the engagement of indigenous and local communities and governments at national and local level in the implementation of Article 10 and the ecosystem approach”.

The meeting on sustainable use (Article 10) and customary use (article 10(c)) was held at the Best Western Ville-Marie Hotel & Suites, from 31 May to 3 June 2011, in Montreal, Canada.

The participants in the meeting had an opportunity to give shape and substance to this major new task of the work programme, thereby guiding the work of the Parties in the implementation of the new Strategic Plan on Biodiversity for the period 2011-2020, and to make recommendations on elements of a strategy to integrate Article 10 (c) as a cross-cutting issue into the various work programmes of the Convention and thematic areas, beginning with the programme of work on protected areas.

In accordance with the mandate given by COP-10, participants agreed on a set of recommendations and advice to the WG8J-7 on this new task of the work programme, namely by:

1. Developing further guidance on sustainable use and related incentive measures for ILCs;
2. Considering measures to increase the engagement of ILCs and Governments at the national and local levels in the implementation of article 10 and the ecosystem approach.
3. The meeting also developed recommendations on a strategy to integrate article 10 (c) as a cross-cutting issue in the various thematic and other work programmes of the Convention as requested by COP-10.

Finally, one day of this four-day meeting was devoted to operationalising the three indicators adopted for traditional knowledge:

1. Status and trends of linguistic diversity and numbers of speakers of indigenous languages;
2. Status and trends in land-use change and land tenure in the traditional territories of indigenous and local communities;
3. Status and trends in the practice of traditional occupations.

The advice/recommendations developed by the meeting will be submitted to the seventh meeting of the WG8J, next October, for its consideration and will then be submitted to COP-11.

The participants also suggested that the report of the meeting be provided to SBSTTA 15 as an information document. SBSTAA 15 will consider the issue of sustainable use of bushmeat and the participants felt the desire to coordinate our work on these related issues, advancing in various meetings held under the Convention.

Special thanks go to the expert participants for a successful meeting and also to the donor Parties (Canada, Japan, EU, and Norway).

The meeting was a very successful meeting, very much in the good tradition of effective indigenous peoples and local community participation in the CBD processes.

The meeting was characterized by constructive discussions in an informal and friendly atmosphere.