Twenty-first meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA-21), 11 – 14 December 2017, Montreal, Canada.
Article 25 of the Convention on Biological Diversity establishes an open-ended intergovernmental scientific advisory body known as the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) to provide the Conference of the Parties (COP) and, as appropriate, its other subsidiary bodies, with timely advice relating to the implementation of the Convention. As a subsidiary body of the COP, SBSTTA is to report regularly to the COP on all aspects of its work. Multidisciplinary and open to participation by all Parties, SBSTTA comprises government representatives competent in the relevant field of expertise. Its functions include: providing assessments of the status of biological diversity; providing assessments of the types of measures taken in accordance with the provisions of the Convention; and responding to questions that the COP may put to the body. SBSTTA has met 20 times to date and produced a total of 216 recommendations to the Conference of the Parties, some of which have been endorsed in full by the latter. Such endorsement makes these recommendations de facto decisions of the Conference of the Parties. Parts of other recommendations have also been endorsed, and many others have been taken up in modified form.
SBSTTA-21 will consider the following agenda items:
- Scenarios for the 2050 Vision for Biodiversity
- Sustainable wildlife management: Guidance for achieving a more sustainable bushmeat sector
- Biodiversity and human health
- Fifth Edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook: Considerations for its preparation
- Tools to evaluate the effectiveness of policy instruments for the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020
- New and emerging issues relating to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity
- Mainstreaming of biodiversity into the sectors of energy and mining, infrastructure, manufacturing and processing industry, and health: scientific and technical considerations and use of the programmes of work of the convention
Tenth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity, 13 - 16 December 2017, Montreal, Canada.
The international community has recognized the close and traditional dependence of many indigenous and local communities on biological resources, notably in the preamble to the Convention on Biological Diversity. There is also a broad recognition of the contribution that traditional knowledge can make to both the conservation and the sustainable use of biological diversity, two fundamental objectives of the Convention.
The Conference of the Parties has established a working group specifically to address the implementation of Article 8 (j) and related provisions of the Convention. This working group is open to all Parties and, indigenous and local communities representatives play a full and active role in its work. Traditional knowledge is considered a "cross-cutting" issue that affects many aspects of biological diversity, so it will continue to be addressed by the Conference of the Parties and by other working groups as well. This is an ongoing priority of the Convention.
The Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions has met nine times since its establishment in 1998[5] and has some notable achievements. In particular, the Working Group has raised the profile of indigenous peoples and local community issues throughout the Convention process. It has successfully developed and monitored the implementation of the work programme on Article 8(j) and related provisions, and delivered a number of guidelines and other tools.
The meeting will consider the following agenda items:
- The Rutzolijirisaxik Voluntary Guidelines for the Repatriation of Traditional Knowledge Relevant for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity
- Glossary of relevant key terms and concepts within the context of Article 8(j) and related provisions
- Finalization of tasks 7 and 12 of the revised multi-year programme of work on Article 8(j) and related provisions
- Progress towards Aichi Biodiversity Target 18 on traditional knowledge and customary sustainable use of biodiversity
- Integration of Article 8(j) and provisions related to indigenous peoples and local communities in the work of the Convention and its Protocols
- Recommendations from the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues to the Convention on Biological Diversity
- In-depth dialogue on thematic areas and other cross-cutting issues
- Sustainable Wildlife Management: Guidance for A Sustainable Wild Meat Sector