The creation of a permanent body to represent Indigenous people’s interests under the UN’s biodiversity agreement was decided upon Friday during the largest nature preservation conference in the world, which took place in Cali, Colombia.
Indigenous representatives cheered and chanted as 196 nations decided on a “subsidiary body” tasked with addressing “matters of relevance to Indigenous peoples and local communities.” Many of them were wearing traditional clothing and headdress.
The 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the UN Convention on Biodiversity, which began in Cali almost two weeks ago, had its first significant breakthrough Friday as delegates argued over how to obtain money for environmental preservation measures. The meeting continued well into extra time.
“This is an unprecedented moment in the history of multilateralagreements on the environment,” an overjoyed Camila Romero, an Indigenous representative from Chile, told delegates after the adoption at the summit, themed “Peace with Nature.”
“Parties have recognized the constant need for our full and effective participation, our knowledge and innovations, technology and traditional practices,” she added.
Delegates also agreed on a specific role for Afro-descendent communities in the new subsidiary body, though a number of details have yet to be ironed out.
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