CBD COP 9-  Bonn, Germany
21th May, 2008  Bulletin 2

 COP9 Indigenous Voices 2

Indigenous Peoples demand ban on biofuel  
Report by IIFB Media Team
(IIFB – International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity)

At the COP 9 second day session, the Indigenous Peoples delegates requested for a worldwide ban on biofuel and agro-fuel production, and also called on action on the following:
•    NO GMOs in our territories
•    Termination of the “terminator seed” 
•    Ban of patents on seeds, and biopiracy
•    Support Indigenous Peoples and small farmer’s food systems

Requesting for international community support at the proceeding on Agriculture Biodiversity, the Indigenous Peoples representatives stated that production of biofuel and agro-fuel is highly destructive to agrobiodiversity.

The delegates noted the “negative impacts of agro-fuel in our food sovereignty and security”, and called on Parties to end the perverse subsidies that hurt agrobiodiversity.

The indigenous delegates pointed to the need for protection of agrobiodiversity from the negative impact of corporate driven agriculture and global trade.

“Local food systems, traditional seed exchange systems, and maintaining ecosystem and seed diversity are examples of how Indigenous Peoples use their traditional knowledge to respond to climate pressures and be food self-sufficient”, as the IIFB statement was read out by Louie Hena, a Native American from New Mexico.

The demand for the ban of biofuel is in contrast to the position taken by some of the state Parties.   At the Agriculture Biodiversity agenda, Brazil spoke in favour of “sustainable production of biofuels, given its contribution to the social and economic development, and to the environment. 

Indigenous Peoples request countries such as Brazil to re-examine the biofuel issue, noting that, “In the face of climate change, the indigenous farmers are doing better with genetic variation and are selecting from a larger pool of local materials…. 

The importance of indigenous traditional knowledge, innovation, and practices is clearly evident in light of the current climate and food crisis.”  The IIFB reminded everyone at COP9 that the discussions on agricultural biodiversity must include a holistic approach that includes Indigenous Peoples’ traditional agricultural landscapes, biocultural systems, food sovereignty and their right to life as peoples.

Action needed to mitigate effects of Climate Change  
Report by IIFB Media Team

The Indigenous Peoples delegates of the IIFB team also focused their work on the CBD thematic groups of Climate Change, Forest Biodiversity, and Financial Mechanisms.  

The topic of Climate Change and its impact on indigenous communities was addressed in the afternoon side event.   Entitled, “Indigenous Peoples, Biodiversity, and Climate Change”, the event organized by IIFB was facilitated by Lucy Mulenkei (Kenya). 

The panel consisted of three indigenous delegates (representing Africa, Latin America, and Asia): Adam Ole Mwaraby (Tanzania), Marcial Arias (Panama), and UNPFII Chairperson Vicky Tauli-Corpuz (Philippines), .who spoke in turn on the effects of climate change in their home communities. 

Providing examples from their country and indigenous communities, the speakers told the audience that impacts of climate change are already being felt, and has led to degradation of the environment and biodiversity.  They said drought, inland water loss, and severe storms have severely impacted on the livelihood of indigenous communities in many countries around the world.

The indigenous delegates called on the state parties and the international community to work together for action and mitigation plans on climate change.

They see the industrialized capitalist system as responsible for this. climate change.  In Tanzania for example, the pastoralists were forced out of their traditional land, after they lost more than half of their livestock from severe droughts and diseases.

Indigenous peoples expressed concern that although they master their environment and have been utilizing it in a sustainable way for centuries without problem, yet they are not fully included in the CBD and UN Framework convention on climate change which does not even mention indigenous peoples. 

 

Indigenous Peoples ask Financial Mechanism support

Report by IIFB Media Team

During second day COP 9 Working Group II on 3.8, Financial Resources and the financial mechanism, it was general acknowledged that funding is far short of what’s needed to attain the CBD goals. 

However, Parties were split on whether to seek new funding sources versus making better use of funds received from traditional contributors.

Some Parties called for improved reporting and more professional follow-up; use of selective indicators based on data sets, and strengthening capacity to improve results.

The African Group supported the declaration by Namibia that developing nations have limited resources and need this funding.  There was a complaint that volunteer contributions and satisfactory results have not always been recognized;

The ILC spoke of drafts without the benefit of input from Indigenous Peoples and expressed alarm that funding from World Bank might violate Human and Indigenous Rights. 

IPs must participate in discussions with the World Bank in compliance with the Declaration of Rights of Indigenous People.

Namibia again spoke on behalf of the African countries stating they must play a critical role because the less fortunate countries continue to suffer. 

The GEF procedures must be reviewed; new reforms and reduction in counter-part funding are needed.  There must be reapportionment of multi-regional projects in tourism, mining and agriculture.  The African countries need to establish their own priorities and determine whom they would like to work with.
 
Because of the wide range of differing views by Parties, the chair recognized that further discussion is required.  Therefore, an open-ended working group will be established with one co-chair from a developed country and one from an under-developed country.  Venues and dates will be scheduled so that meetings will not conflict.

Upcoming Events: 

You can join Indigenous Peoples at these side events and program activities:

1.    Traditional Knowledge and The International Regime on ABS, A Panel Discussion
Organized by IIFB
Time: Wed, May 21,  * 18:15 – 19:45 pm
Venue: Room S34 / S35 (GSI) Gustav-Stresemann- Institue

2.  IIFB – Indigenous Reception and Cultural Evening
Enjoy music, dancing, traditional food and cultural performance with Indigenous Peoples from Asia, Africa, Americas, Europe, Pacific, and Arctic Regions, Organized by IIFB
Time: Wed., May 21, * 19:30 – 21:30 pm
Venue: Foyer, (GSI) Gustav-Stresemann-Institute

3.    FPIC: Consent or Consultation ?   Experiences on Free Prior Informed Consent – Sharing Perspectives, Organized by the International Alliance (of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests) and MISEREOR
Time: Thursday, May 22, 13:15 -14:45 p.m.
Venue: Salon Koenig
 
4.    Enhancing the Participation of Indigenous Peoples in the CBD: An Assessment Organized by the International Alliance, RAIPON, UNEP, Norad and NOVIB
Friday, May 23, 13:15 -14:45 p.m.
Venue: Salon Arndt

5.    Amazon Indians Speak Up – Protection and Preservation of Traditional Indigenous Knowledge in the State of Acre, Brazilian Amazonia
Time: Friday May 23, 18:15 – 20:00 pm
Venue: Salon Maritim