In its decision 16/5, the Conference of the Parties requested the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and Other Provisions of the Convention Related to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (SB8J), at its first meeting, to further elaborate and finalize its modus operandi on the basis of the draft contained in recommendation 12/2 of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Intersessional Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention, taking into consideration the consolidated modus operandi of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice and the modus operandi of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation, as well as established procedures of the Working Group, and to submit it for consideration at the seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties with a view to its adoption. 

The Conference of the Parties also requested the SB8J, when developing elements of its modus operandi, to take into consideration, inter alia, the following elements: 

1. The need for the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities; 
2. The cost efficiency of its operations and management compared with those of the Working Group;  (c) The full recognition of its operations as Party-led processes; 
3. The criteria and process for the selection of representatives of indigenous peoples and local communities to be designated at the beginning of each of its meetings from the seven sociocultural regions to participate in its work as friends of the Bureau, and the role of Parties and the Bureau in those modalities; 
4. Interaction with the other subsidiary bodies, with a view to minimizing duplication and any additional burden to those subsidiary bodies, while enhancing synergies. 

The Conference of the Parties decided to apply mutatis mutandis the consolidated modus operandi of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice and established procedures and practices of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on an interim basis, until the Conference of the Parties adopts the modus operandi of the SB8J at its seventeenth meeting. 

Pursuant to this,  the SB8J will develop its modus operandi at its first meeting, which will take place from 27 to 30 October 2025 in Panama City, Panama. The modus operandi will be submitted to the seventeenth Conference of the Parties for its consideration and possible adoption.