Introduction
We are inviting Indigenous Peoples and local communities from all over the world to support the development of two assessments of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES).
About IPBES and Indigenous and local knowledge
IPBES is an independent intergovernmental body established by States to strengthen the science-policy interface for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, for long-term human well-being and sustainable development (www.ipbes.net). 147 States are currently members of IPBES. In its work, IPBES recognizes the importance of Indigenous and local knowledge, including practices, values and actions. IPBES has developed an approach to working with Indigenous and local knowledge, which facilitates the participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in IPBES activities.
More information on how Indigenous Peoples and local communities can participate in the work of IPBES is available here.
The assessments
One of the key functions of IPBES is to produce global-scale assessments of biodiversity, bringing together teams of authors to examine and assess the available information on different topics. To date, IPBES is the most ambitious intergovernmental platform to bring Indigenous and local knowledge to the core of large-scale assessments.
IPBES is currently working on two new assessments, which are the focus of this call for contributions:
- Monitoring biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people (“monitoring assessment”) (2024-2026, https://www.ipbes.net/monitoring) – which will explore different national and global systems and efforts to track biodiversity and nature’s contributions to people, focusing on challenges and successes at various scales to measure the progress towards the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
- Integrated biodiversity-inclusive spatial planning and ecological connectivity (“spatial planning assessment”) (2025-2027 , https://www.ipbes.net/spatial-planning-assessment) – addressing the use and change in use of land, inland waters and sea, including areas beyond national jurisdiction, emphasizing the importance of ecological connectivity.
Why participate in this call?
Contributions from Indigenous Peoples and local communities will help to frame and develop the assessments in ways that recognize the role of Indigenous and local knowledge, practices, values and actions in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, as well as current challenges faced by Indigenous Peoples and local communities, and ways forward. The assessments and products derived from other IPBES activities, can bring these issues to the attention of policymakers, and help to facilitate discussions between Indigenous Peoples and local communities and policymakers and other actors.
Who can participate?
Members of Indigenous Peoples and local communities are encouraged to participate, including women, men, elders, youth, specialist knowledge holders, organizations or networks, as well as researchers and others working with Indigenous and local knowledge.
What are we hoping to receive?
We are hoping to receive:
- Materials that describe practices and efforts regarding tracking changes in biodiversity (abundance, location) and how decisions are made regarding its management. These could include monitoring efforts, data collection methods, observations of environmental changes, among others.
- Materials that describe the relevance, process and challenges of planning different uses within the territory, the rationale behind making decisions on this regard, and the relevance of connectivity for sustainable biodiversity, land and water use practices.
- Recommendations of individuals, communities, organizations and networks that could contribute to the development of the assessments as reviewers, contributing authors or dialogue workshop participants.
Materials could be in national or local languages, and could include (but are not limited to):
- Reports developed by Indigenous Peoples and local communities
- Declarations, vision statements or planning documents by Indigenous Peoples and local communities
- Capacity-building plans or education materials for or by Indigenous Peoples and local communities
- Songs, poems, artworks
- Books
- Case studies
- Maps
- Videos or documentaries
- Legal frameworks or policies
- Academic papers
- Any other materials that help to convey the knowledge, practices, values, challenges and visions of Indigenous Peoples and local communities
We also welcome recommendations of individuals, communities, organizations and networks that could contribute to the development of the assessments.
How will the information you provide be used?
Materials contributed will be added to a library of materials related to Indigenous and local knowledge and Indigenous Peoples and local communities, which will be used by authors of IPBES assessments. If the materials are used as part of an assessment, they will be cited and acknowledged in the assessment report. The library is publicly accessible and will be used by authors of IPBES assessments.
The names and contact information of individuals and organizations that you recommend will be added to a database. This will allow us to contact these individuals or organizations to invite them to participate in IPBES assessments activities such as writing portions of text, participating in dialogue workshops, or reviewing parts of the assessments. Individuals and organizations can be removed from this list whenever they wish.
Free, Prior and Informed Consent
This call for contributions will follow principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) as follows:
- Contributed materials will be used by IPBES authors to develop IPBES assessments, which are publicly available. Materials will not be used for any other purposes unless consent is given.
- Materials are contributed voluntarily, and can be withdrawn at a future date, should contributors decide to do so. However, once an assessment has been finalized, the assessment itself cannot be changed.
- All rights to contributed materials continue to belong to the contributor or community, as before contribution.
- Information or materials contributed should already be publicly available and should not represent sensitive or private data or information. The contributors should consult with their community or relevant institutions if there is uncertainty over whether information can be shared.
- If you feel that information has been submitted without permission or used inappropriately, please contact IPBES at: [email protected]
For further information on the IPBES approach to Free, Prior and Informed Consent see Decision IPBES-5/1. If more information on use of materials is required, please contact IPBES at: [email protected].
