Traditional Knowledge and the Convention on Biological Diversity
The knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous peoples and local communities, often referred to as traditional knowledge, are associated with traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. Traditional knowledge is developed and maintained through long-standing interactions with local environments and adapted to cultural and environmental contexts.
Traditional knowledge is often transmitted orally from generation to generation and is commonly held collectively. It may be expressed in many forms, including stories, songs, proverbs, cultural values, beliefs, rituals, customary laws and practices related to the management of natural resources.
Traditional knowledge is inherently linked to the livelihoods, well-being and cultural identity of indigenous peoples and local communities.
“Recognizing the knowledge, innovations, practices, institutions and values of indigenous peoples and local communities, and ensuring their inclusion and participation in environmental governance, often enhances their quality of life and the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of nature, which is relevant to broader society.” IPBES (2019) Summary for policymakers of the global assessment on biodiversity and ecosystem services of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services.
Traditional Knowledge and the Convention on Biological Diversity
The international community has recognized, notably in the preamble to the Convention on Biological Diversity, the close and traditional dependence of many indigenous peoples and local communities that embody traditional lifestyles on biological resources.
The consideration of traditional knowledge by the Conference of the Parties is closely linked to several provisions of the Convention. These include, in particular, Article 8(j) on traditional knowledge; Article 10(c) on customary sustainable use of biological resources; Article 15 on access to genetic resources; Article 16 on access to and transfer of technology; Article 17(2) on exchange of information, including indigenous and traditional knowledge; Article 18(4) on technical and scientific cooperation, including indigenous and traditional technologies; and Article 19 on handling of biotechnology and distribution of its benefits.
Consideration of traditional knowledge is also linked to thematic programmes of work under the Convention, including programmes of work on marine and coastal, agricultural, inland water, and forest biological diversity, as well as biodiversity of dry and sub-humid lands.
Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and Other Provisions of the Convention Related to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (SB8J)
At its sixteenth meeting, the Conference of the Parties, in decision 16/5, established the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and Other Provisions of the Convention Related to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (SB8J), replacing the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention.
SB8J has the mandate to provide advice to the Conference of the Parties, other subsidiary bodies and, subject to their request, the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization on matters of relevance to indigenous peoples and local communities that are within the scope of the Convention and its Protocols.
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