Intervention of Indigenous Peoples’ organization

Joint Statement on behalf of the Six Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations
Indigenous Peoples Council on Biocolonialism,
International Indian Treaty Council
Foundation for the Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge
Juventud Indigena Argentina
Consejo Autonomo Aymara
Centro Estudios Multidisciplinarios Aymara Boliva
United Confederation of Taino Peoples



Thank you Co-Chairs,

Item 3.4 - Objectives:

While Indigenous peoples are the owners of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, as recognized in international human rights law, we are greatly concerned by the failure by Parties to address Indigenous rights in any substantive manner in the IR, to date. We do not see any objective articulated that will definitively protect and promote the interests and rights of Indigenous peoples.

There must be a clear objective to protect the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities to their genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, innovations and practices, related to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and to ensure the fair and equitable sharing of the monetary and non-monetary benefits arising from the utilization of their knowledge, consistent with international human rights obligations and in accordance with articles 1, 3 and 22 of the Convention. Article 1 clearly states that all rights to genetic resources are to be taken into account.


Presented by Debra Harry, IPCB, dharry@ipcb.org