Indigenous Representation Established at UN Biodiversity Summit

At the recent UN COP16 summit in Cali, Colombia, delegates established a permanent subsidiary body to ensure Indigenous peoples have a voice in biodiversity and conservation discussions. This landmark decision acknowledges the significant role Indigenous communities have played in protecting biodiversity and mandates corporations to share benefits derived from genetic resources. The summit, which followed the 2022 Montreal Accord, aims to protect 30% of the planet and restore degraded ecosystems by 2030. Additionally, a measure was adopted recognizing the contributions of people of African descent to nature conservation. The decision has been celebrated by Indigenous representatives as a historic moment for inclusivity in environmental governance. However, funding pledges made during the conference fell short of what is needed to effectively combat biodiversity loss.