The IPBES Global Assessment at the Dialogue on Human Rights and Biodiversity Conservation

Background 

The dialogue was organized by SwedBio, Forest Peoples Programme, Chepkitale Indigenous People Development Project and Natural Justice. The objective of the Dialogue was “to identify and suggest improvements to existing approaches, tools, and practices for ensuring that respect for human rights strengthens the ability to achieve conservation targets, and that securing conservation targets improves communities' ability to secure their human rights.”

IPBES Objectives

As part of the Global Assessment’s elaboration and review processes, this meeting was an opportunity for the authors to discuss key sections of the Global Assessment with Indigenous and rural experts on biodiversity, ecosystems, protected areas and human rights. The aim was to gain feedback from experts at the meeting that the authors could use to further develop or refine the Global Assessment.

Participants

Participants at the meeting included:

• Indigenous peoples from Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and Thailand
• International Human Rights Bodies (including the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues, Amnesty International, Minority Rights Group)
• SwedBio, Forest Peoples Programme and Natural Justice
• Kenyan Ministry of the Environment
• International Governments (Australia and Costa Rica)
• WWF
• World Bank
• IPBES authors

Outcomes 

• A series of presentations by IPBES Global Assessment authors gave visibility to IPBES
• Authors appreciated the focus on human rights as a key factor in conservation
• Interviews with participants on the sides of the dialogue provided added detail and information