Notification 2006-077

Dear Madam/Sir, In decision VIII/5 B II, paragraph 12, on the elements of a Plan of Action for the retention of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, the Conference of the Parties requested the Executive Secretary to take into consideration comments made at the fourth meeting of the Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions, and to continue gathering and analysing information, in consultation with Parties, Governments, indigenous and local communities, with a view to further developing the plan of action, giving priority to sections B and D (see attached copy), and to report on the advancement of this task to the Working Group at its fifth meeting. Parties and Governments are therefore invited to provide views and suggestions regarding the further development of the Plan of Action for the retention of traditional knowledge, as indicated above, as soon as practicable but no later than 31st May 2007. I thank you in advance for your cooperation in this matter and for your continued support to the work of the Convention. Accept, Madam/Sir, the assurance of my highest consideration. Decision VII/16 E, Annex Elements of a Plan of Action for the retention of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. B. Indicators 8. Indicators on the state of retention of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices should be established with the active involvement of indigenous and local communities, in consultation with relevant organizations, in connection with the ongoing work on indicators under the Convention. 9. Indicators to assess the success or failure of measures to promote or preserve traditional knowledge, innovations and practices should be established, with the active involvement of indigenous and local communities, in connection with the ongoing work on indicators under the Convention. 10. Information on legislative measures to protect traditional knowledge, innovations and practices as drawn from regional and national reports, should be kept up to date. D. Research on and implementation of mechanisms and measures to address the underlying causes of the decline of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices 13. Research should be undertaken on existing and new threats to the retention and use of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices. 14. Mechanisms to promote cooperation in order to address the cause of decline should be identified in cooperation with the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues of the United Nations and other relevant initiatives and organizations. 15. Parties should be encouraged, in accordance with national domestic law and international obligations, to recognize land tenure of indigenous and local communities, as recognized rights and access to land are fundamental to the retention of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices. 16. Subject to national legislation and international obligations, Parties should be encouraged to pursue the fair and equitable resolution of land claims as an essential element of efforts to facilitate the retention and use of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices. 17. Indigenous and local communities should, where relevant, be actively involved in the management of protected areas. 18. The rights of indigenous and local communities should given due respect when establishing new protected areas. 19. Parties should establish measures to ensure respect for the rights of unprotected or voluntarily isolated communities 20. Restrictions on use of and access to sacred sites or otherwise culturally significant sites should be incorporated into appropriate local or national legislation, in consultation with and with full involvement of indigenous and local communities. 21. Legislation intended to protect, promote the use of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices should be consistent with the needs and views of indigenous and local communities, comprehensive and enforceable. 22. Parties should be encouraged to work with indigenous and local communities to develop measures and mechanisms to mitigate the consequences of actions arising from perverse incentives leading to the decline of knowledge, innovations and practices embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. 23. Parties should share their experiences with incentive measures as well as other mechanisms and measures to support the retention and use of knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. 24. Mobilization of financial and technical resources should be promoted to support the design and implementation of mechanisms and measures to support retention of knowledge, innovations and practices embodying traditional lifestyles relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points