Asia-Pacific Preparatory Workshop for COP11 Concludes

From 9-12 July in Chiang Mai, Thailand, Holly Shrumm (Natural Justice) served as a resource person for a preparatory workshop for representatives of Indigenous peoples and local communities in Asia and the Pacific. The workshop was organized by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and hosted by the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP) and the Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education (TEBTEBBA). The first two days of the workshop focused on:

• An introduction to the CBD and mechanisms for participation of Indigenous peoples and local communities, including the Voluntary Fund and the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity;
• Articles 8(j) and 10(c), including draft Decisions arising from the 7th meeting of the Working Group on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions; and
• 2011-2010 Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and Aichi Targets, with particular focus on Articles 11, 14, and 18.

The third day of the workshop was co-facilitated by Natural Justice and the CBD Secretariat and included presentations and group discussions on customary law; an introduction to biocultural community protocols and resource materials such as the toolkit for community facilitators; community experiences with developing and using protocols in Sabah (Malaysia), Sri Lanka, and Arunachal Pradesh (India); experiences with free, prior and informed consent and related national guidelines in the Philippines; and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing. In addition to sharing their own experiences with similar processes, participants discussed a number  of key issues, including the importance of securing Indigenous peoples' territories and other fundamental rights (particularly those enshrined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples); resolving conflict between customary laws and state laws; seeking partnerships with a range of different actors and engaging in national and sub-national decision-making processes; and demonstrating how Indigenous peoples and local communities are contributing to the implementation of international targets and obligations such as the Aichi Targets.

The fourth and final day of the workshop was facilitated by Gam Shimray (AIPP) and Joji Carino (TEBTEBBA) and focused on preparations and strategies for engaging in the 11th Conference of the Parties to the CBD, which will be held in October in Hyderabad.

Holly thanks AIPP, TEBTEBBA, the CBD Secretariat, and the workshop participants for a productive week and looks forward to further discussions and collaborations both in the region and internationally.

Asia-Pacific Preparatory Workshop for COP11 Begins

From 9-12 July in Chiang Mai, Thailand, the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is holding a workshop for representatives of Indigenous peoples and local communities from Asia and the Pacific in preparation for the 11th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP11). The provisional agenda includes an introduction to the CBD and mechanisms for participation of Indigenous peoples and local communities; Articles 8(j) and 10(c); the 2011-2020 Strategic Plan and Aichi Biodiversity Targets; the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing; and preparatory discussions for COP11 in October.

The workshop is co-hosted by the Indigenous Peoples' International Centre for Policy Research and Education (TEBTEBBA) and the Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact. Holly Shrumm (Natural Justice) is attending the meeting as a resource person, particularly on community protocols.

Meeting on Increasing Number of BCR Lawyers

On the 13th of February, Kabir Bavikatte and Harry Jonas (Natural Justice) met with Antara Lahiri (Ashoka Law for All) and Vivek Maru (Namati) to discuss how best to increase the numbers of lawyers focusing on the nexus between the environment, land and social justice issues. Particularly it was felt that opportunities for students and young lawyers to engage with the issues presented a barrier to being able to "imagine" working in the area. The few job opportunities offered, despite the demand from communities, community-based organizations and NGOs, was suggested as another serious barrier to individuals who are interested. A meeting has been mooted to further discuss the issues with a view to developing means to address the problem. Kabir and Harry thank Antara and Vivek for their time.