"كوب 16" لإنقاذ الطبيعة يقرر تشكيل هيئة دائمة للشعوب الأصلية

"COP16" Declares a Permanent Body for Indigenous Peoples to Protect Nature

The 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, saw a crucial agreement reached: the establishment of a permanent body for indigenous peoples. This body will act as a crucial consultation platform for decisions concerning the international organization's efforts to safeguard nature.

A Significant Milestone in Recognizing Indigenous Roles

The creation of this advisory body is a vital step in acknowledging the significant role of indigenous peoples in global nature conservation. Indigenous communities are custodians of some of the world's most biodiverse areas, and their knowledge and practices are essential for environmental preservation. This achievement is widely celebrated by indigenous and environmental advocates.

Building on the "Kunming-Montreal Framework"

The COP16 meeting, with participation from over 200 nations, aimed to implement the "Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework" for 2022. This framework sets a target to halt the rapid degradation of nature by 2030. The new advisory body, which will also extend its reach to local communities, will play a critical role in incorporating traditional knowledge and practices into environmental conservation efforts.

Recognizing the Role of People of African Descent

Furthermore, the participating countries reached a consensus on recognizing the vital contribution of people of African descent in nature stewardship. This decision, hailed by Colombia, will empower these communities to access resources for biodiversity projects and actively engage in global environmental discussions.

This agreement was met with enthusiastic celebrations, including chants and singing from activists. The Colombian Foreign Minister, Luis Gilberto Murillo, expressed deep gratitude, highlighting the importance of this achievement for Latin America and the Caribbean. He emphasized that these regions, home to a substantial portion of the planet's natural wealth, are also home to people of African descent and indigenous peoples whose sustainable practices are crucial for tackling shared environmental challenges.

Looking Ahead to COP17

In a significant announcement, Armenia was chosen as the host country for the next COP session (COP17),scheduled for 2026.