At COP17, Parties carry out the first global review of progress on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). It is the moment to ask: are the Framework's commitments to Indigenous Peoples being met on the ground?

The KMGBF recognises Indigenous Peoples as rights-holders and partners in conservation, and Parties agreed to revise their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to reflect this. Across Asia, that promise is only partly being kept.

Over the past year, the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) and its partners assessed how Indigenous Peoples, including women, youth and persons with disabilities, have taken part in NBSAP revision across 15 Asian countries, with detailed studies for Nepal, the Philippines and Thailand. This side event shares what we found: where participation has been real and shaped decisions, where it has been blocked by structural barriers, and how Indigenous-led governance is already delivering results for biodiversity.

Indigenous leaders from across the region will speak directly to Parties, the Secretariat and allies. Together we will move from participation to power: from being consulted to shaping decisions. We will also set out practical steps to close the gap between what the KMGBF promises and what happens in Indigenous territories.

Objectives

1. Bring regional and country evidence on Indigenous Peoples' participation in NBSAP revision to the first global review of KMGBF implementation.
2. Show how Indigenous-led biodiversity governance delivers results, and what helps or blocks it.
3. Set out practical steps for Parties to deliver Target 22, Target 3 and a human rights-based approach as they implement their NBSAPs.

Relevance to the KMGBF and COP17

The session supports the first global review of collective progress on the KMGBF. It provides evidence for Target 22 (full, equitable and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples), Target 3 (area-based conservation that respects their rights and territories) and the human rights-based approach in Section C, and it connects to the new subsidiary body on Article 8(j) agreed at COP16. NBSAP implementation is where these commitments are kept or lost, and Asia's experience offers lessons Parties can use elsewhere.