Climate

Indigenous peoples and local communities solidify decision-making powers at COP17

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Briefings

At COP17 in Armenia in November 2026, Indigenous peoples and local communities (IP&LCs) successfully secured full operationalization of the Subsidiary body on Article 8(j) (SB8J) within the Convention on Biological Diversity. This decision, finalized after two weeks of intense negotiations, marks a historic shift where IP&LCs can now advise parties, draft decision texts, and handle specific tasks like implementing global conservation goals. The primary challenge identified during the summit was determining the composition of the body's co-chairs and friends of the Bureau, specifically debating whether representatives should come from UN regional groups or sociocultural regions.

Key points

• The Subsidiary body on Article 8(j) (SB8J) was established at the 2024 biodiversity summit in Colombia to allow IP&LCs to advise parties and draft decision texts.
• At COP17 in Armenia in November 2026, delegates finalized the operationalization of SB8J, with the main unresolved issue being the selection of co-chairs and friends of the Bureau.

Context

The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) established the Subsidiary body on Article 8(j) in 2024 to enhance inclusivity through rights-based implementation. This briefing covers the finalization of SB8J's operationalization at COP17 in Armenia in November 2026, highlighting the successful integration of IP&LCs into the treaty's decision-making framework.

Limitations

The evidence is limited to the 2026 U.N. Biodiversity Conference in Armenia. Specific details regarding the final composition of SB8J's co-chairs and friends of the Bureau remain unresolved. The article does not provide data on the budget, meeting schedules, or the specific functions assigned to SB8J beyond the general scope of advising parties and drafting texts.

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