Background

This side event brings together three scalable UNESCO-led initiatives demonstrating how Indigenous and local knowledge, community engagement, scientific research, and transboundary ecosystem connectivity can effectively support countries in advancing the implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), specifically Targets 1, 2, 3, 9, 21 and 22, as well as the development and implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

The session presents a continuum of actions that countries can undertake, spanning from local biodiversity knowledge generation to the participatory governance of large landscapes and seascapes, and extending to national and regional policy products that mainstream Indigenous Peoples and local communities’ (IPLCs) knowledge. These initiatives highlight concrete, integrated, field-tested solutions that are replicable across regions, including through existing UNESCO-designated sites’ network, while strategically elevating the role and knowledge of IPLCs.

Grassroot Solutions: Empowering Local Communities for Biodiversity Knowledge Generation

Recognizing IPLCs as primary biodiversity stewards, UNESCO supports participatory conservation models that strengthen community governance and co-management.

The Kanchenjunga Conservation Area (Nepal) illustrates this approach through community-led approach that strengthen the capacity of IPLCs in wildlife monitoring by combining ecological knowledge with scientific tools. At the same time, it enhances local governance within the conservation area. This contributes to Target 3.

National Solutions: Mainstreaming Indigenous and Local Knowledge into National Policies for Nature

The National Outlook on Indigenous and Local Knowledge of Biodiversity developed by UNESCO addresses key policy and capacity gaps by strengthening the documentation, recognition, and integration of ILK into biodiversity policies and NBSAPs.

By supporting inclusive policymaking and knowledge co-production, the initiative provides a solid evidence base and capacity platform, demonstrating that effective biodiversity conservation depends on legitimizing diverse knowledge systems. It contributes directly to KMGBF Target 21, 22 and 9.

Regional Solutions: Advancing Transboundary Cooperation for Large Landscape Ecological Connectivity

With ecosystems crossing political borders, conservation depends upon transboundary cooperation to succeed. The Trifinio Fraternidad Transboundary Biosphere Reserve (El Salvador–Guatemala–Honduras) demonstrates how UNESCO Biosphere Reserves can function as participatory platforms for the design of transboundary ecological corridors that help prioritizing actions to conserve and restore ecosystems, harnessing both diplomatic support and IPLCs knowledge across key ecosystems. This supports KMGBF Targets 1, 2, and 3.

Objectives

• Showcase scalable solutions readily available to countries, demonstrating how scientific, Indigenous and local knowledge, community stewardship, and ecological connectivity contribute to implementing the KMGBF and the third NBSAPs.
• Highlight the role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) as key actors in biodiversity governance, conservation, monitoring and sustainable use.
• Demonstrate the importance of transboundary and landscape-scale approaches, using biosphere reserves as platforms for cooperation and connectivity.
• Facilitate knowledge exchange and partnerships among governments, IPLCs, UN agencies, and development partners to support scaling and replication.