The conservation world comes together on the eve of IUCN Congress 2025

As participants arrive in Abu Dhabi, UAE, for the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, protected and conserved areas actors gathered across the city.

Fifty-one delegates of the Biodiversity and Protected Area Management (BIOPAMA) programme assembled for a Knowledge Sharing Day, bringing a close to one of IUCN's largest and longest-running grant-making initiatives (approximately 55 million over 13 years). Grantees from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific reflected on the impact of their grants, ranging from supporting management effectiveness through the IMET and PAME tools, strengthening governance of protected areas, and to supporting grassroots organisations to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic and build their financial capacity.

"For a long time, protected areas have ignored the rights and contributions of local communities. BIOPAMA has put the focus on governance to make conservation more equitable."

Samuel Shaba, Honeyguide Foundation Tanzania.

"Through BIOPAMA, it’s evident that good governance is the foundation of sustainable conservation. When decisions are transparent and communities are empowered, conservation becomes shared and a lasting success." 

Annick Zanga Ada, African Marine Conservation Organisation

The BIOPAMA initiative, funded by the European Union and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) has supported +160 organisations across 79 countries since its inception in 2012. IUCN Congress will host almost 30 events in which BIOPAMA grantees will showcase their conservation work. Click here to learn about the events.

At the ADNEC Centre, the first ever in person ‘World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature “Our Traditional Knowledge is the Language of Mother Earth”’ took place, a historic first for IUCN, led by Anita Tzec, Maya leader and Senior Programme Manager of IUCN. The event gathered IUCN Director General Dr. Grethel Aguilar; IUCN President Razan Al Mubarak; and Indigenous leader and IUCN Vice President, Ramiro Batzin Chojoj, alongside IUCN’s Indigenous Peoples Organisations members and partner representatives from across the globe. The opening spiritual ceremony was followed by high level segments that acknowledged the outsized role that Indigenous peoples and local communities play in conserving biodiversity through centuries of practices rooted in traditional knowledge, customary governance, cultural and spiritual values that tie Indigenous peoples to their ancestral territories.

“For Indigenous peoples, conservation is everything, it is about life, it is about mother earth, it a way of living for Indigenous peoples, so conservation must be about the rights, governance and knowledge of Indigenous peoples”. Ramiro Batzin Chojoj, IUCN Vice President.

The issues discussed at the Indigenous Peoples Summit shouldn’t remain aspirational but rather form strong action oriented plans that can drive change: “The first Indigenous Peoples Summit in the history of IUCN is not just symbolic, it is a promise to work closely with Indigenous peoples and local communities” said Razan Al Mubarak, “the priorities that are set here must carry forward into national plans and global frameworks”. The messages on the first day were clear, Indigenous peoples are rightsholders not just stakeholders, and are leaders not beneficiaries. It is up to us to build long term trusted partnerships to effect real change. The Indigenous Peoples Summit will be followed by the first Indigenous Peoples Pavilion and IUCN PCA Team will follow the key messages and recommendations closely.

Last but not least, the IUCN Protected and Conserved Areas team were hard at work across the ADNEC Exhibition space to prepare the the pavilions for the opening of the Exhibition tomorrow. See you at IUCN Congress 2025!

View the IUCN Protected and Conserved Areas team's 09 October events by clicking here

Indigenous Peoples’ Biocentric Restoration gains global Momentum at CBD COP16

At the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Cali, Colombia, groundbreaking initiatives on Indigenous Peoples’ biocentric restoration were unveiled by the FAO in partnership with Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Indigenous Peoples’ representatives.

The new initiatives aim to restore degraded ecosystems by putting Indigenous Peoples’ cosmogony, knowledge systems and traditional practices at the centre, in efforts to halt biodiversity loss and promote sustainable environmental management.

“The importance of incorporating Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge into environmental restoration cannot be overstated. Indigenous Peoples have been stewards of the land for millennia, and their territorial management practices offer valuable insights into how we can restore and protect biodiversity,” said H.E. Franz Tattenbach, Minister of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica. “Costa Rica is proud to be at the forefront, developing the world’s first National Plan on Indigenous Peoples’ Biocentric Restoration, which integrates Indigenous Peoples’ food and knowledge systems into national environmental strategies.

The Indigenous Peoples’ Biocentric Restoration programme, a collaboration between FAO and Indigenous Peoples’ leaders, is designed to restore ecosystems while respecting Indigenous Peoples' collective rights, spiritual beliefs and territorial management practices. The programme, initiated in 2019, emphasizes the critical role that Indigenous Peoples’ communities play in ecosystem restoration, not just as participants but as leaders in the process.

Ramiro Batzin, Co-Chair of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), opened the session alongside Mr Godfrey Magwenzi, Director of the FAO Director General’s Office, to emphasize the importance of Indigenous Peoples’-led restoration initiatives.

“Science shows that by being holistic, Indigenous Peoples' food and knowledge systems are key to preserving and restoring the biodiversity and allies for the fulfilment of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework’’, underlined Mr Magwenzi. FAO, together with Indigenous Peoples' organizations, has co-developed the Indigenous Peoples’ Biocentric Restoration approach, by centering Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge and cosmogony, and promotes the restoration of ecosystems through the strengthening of their food and knowledge systems.

“It is a pleasure for IIFB to host this event,” stated Ramiro Batzin, on behalf of the IIFB. “I would like to recognize the role of the Indigenous Peoples’ biocentric restoration approach at COP16. This approach has been presented and recognized at the TRɄA World Summit on Traditional Knowledge related to Biodiversity [that] we organized last August in Bogota, to prepare the negotiations at COP. At that Summit, we managed to bring together over 150 Indigenous Peoples’ leaders from all 7 socio-cultural regions, UN Agencies, government and key actors. These recommendations and presentations, including on biocentric, have been crucial for the work at the CBD COP16”.

Speakers recognized the relevance of the approach and the importance of the ongoing national plans. “This initiative is not just about restoring ecosystems; it’s about recognizing the rights of Indigenous Peoples and our role as custodians of the genetic diversity and nature. It’s a matter of justice, respect, and equity” said Mr Donald Rojas, President of the Mesa Nacional Indígena de Costa Rica (National Indigenous Platform of Costa Rica). “By integrating Indigenous Peoples’ cosmogony and knowledge, we can ensure that restoration efforts are effective and ensuring long-term sustainability for future generations. Through these kind of processes, we ensure the recognition of Indigenous Peoples as custodiams of biodiversity”.

Ms Nelly Paredes, Executive Director of the National Forest and Wildlife Service of Peru (SERFOR), reaffirmed Peru’s commitment to Indigenous Peoples’ biocentric restoration, highlighting efforts to develop a Regional Plan on Indigenous Peoples’ Biocentric Restoration in the Southern Andes. This plan will work in close collaboration with local governments and Indigenous Peoples’ self-governance authorities. “We are committed to restoring the Southern Andes together with Indigenous Peoples. A biocentric restoration regional plan is starting to ensure Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge is considered for the restoration and conservation with native species,” said Ms Paredes. “By involving Indigenous Peoples as implementers and partners in the conservation strategies, we are creating a powerful, sustainable biocentric plan for effective environmental restoration.”

Other nations, including Ecuador and Colombia, have also made significant strides in integrating Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge into restoration strategies. Ms Glenda Ortega, Undersecretary of Natural Heritage in Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition, shared the country’s work with the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization (INBAR) in Latin America to promote the use of native bamboo species for restoration in the Amazon basin.

Mr Pacha Kanchay, Spiritual Leader of the Organización Nacional Indígena de Colombia (ONIC), reaffirmed Colombia's commitment to initiate Indigenous Peoples-led restoration activities in their territories. “In Colombia, we are learning from the ancestral knowledge of Indigenous Peoples’ communities to address environmental challenges,” said Mr Kanchay. “The integration of our spiritual and cultural values into restoration practices will help us heal our lands and preserve our biodiversity for future generations.”

The Indigenous Peoples’ Biocentric Restoration Initiative includes the creation of “schools of life” to support intergenerational knowledge transmission; the establishment of community nurseries; and the careful consideration of species with ecological, spiritual, and medicinal value. These efforts emphasize the importance of respecting Indigenous Peoples' collective rights, including the right to Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC).

Yon Fernandez de Larrinoa, Head of FAO Indigenous Peoples Unit, explained the approach, welcoming the attendees to the high-level side event and reiterating the significance of these efforts in the global context. “Indigenous Peoples’ biocentric restoration is not just a solution for today, but a long-term strategy for planetary health,” said Mr Fernandez de Larrinoa. “It aligns directly with the goals of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration and supports the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The Initiative has already launched restoration efforts in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, India, Nepal, Peru and Thailand. Future activities are planned for Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As global environmental challenges continue to grow, the integration of Indigenous Peoples’ knowledge into biodiversity conservation efforts has become more urgent. The launch of the Indigenous Peoples’ Biocentric Restoration Initiative at COP16, dubbed “The COP of the People,” marks a crucial step towards ensuring that Indigenous Peoples’ rights and traditional ecological knowledge are prioritized in global biodiversity frameworks.

“Indigenous Peoples’-led restoration is not only an environmental imperative; it is a human rights issue,” concluded Mr Mariano Castro, from the Peace and Biodiversity Dialogue Initiative at the Secretariat of the CBD. “This initiative exemplifies how the world can work together to restore our ecosystems while honoring the rights of Indigenous Peoples and support the implementation of the CBD commitments,” he added.

Mr Pablo J. Innecken, FAO Officer for Biodiversity and Climate Change, thanked the speakers and participants at the event with the conclusion that Indigenous Peoples’ biocentric restoration, as an initiative rooted in the work of the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, is aiming to support the implementation of targets 2, 3, 10 and 22 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The event at COP16 marks a significant step forwards in global efforts to prioritize Indigenous Peoples’ rights and knowledge in biodiversity conservation, aligning with the commitment of CBD member states embodied in the adoption of the new Programme of Work on Article 8(j) and the creation of a Subsidiary Body to support the implementation of this Article.

Countries agreed to protect 30% of the planet. Now what?

More than six months ago, nearly every country on Earth signed on to the most ambitious plan ever to protect nature — a sweeping framework that aims to conserve 30 percent of the planet's land and waters by 2030.

It’s an unprecedented agreement. So, what’s next?

As nations kickstart their efforts toward what’s known as the “30 by 30” goal, they face two central challenges. The first is the crucial task of ensuring the rights and participation of Indigenous peoples, who are among the most effective stewards of nature. Though their lands encompass a significant share of Earth’s biodiversity, Indigenous peoples have been sidelined from previous environmental efforts — in some cases, even evicted from their territories in the name of conservation.

Another challenge arises in finding the necessary $700 billion a year needed to overcome the biodiversity crisis by 2030. Amid this major deficit, countries are grappling over who should foot the bill and how to tap into innovative funding strategies for nature, which, after all, generates huge value for the world’s economies.

To learn how countries can approach these challenges equitably and effectively, Conservation News spoke with Ramiro Batzin, co-chair of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity, and Carlos Correa, Colombia’s former minister of environment and a current senior fellow at Conservation International.

Conservation News: Protecting nearly a third of the Earth is a bold goal, how do nations make it happen?

Carlos Correa: Reaching this agreement among nearly 200 countries was hard, but the really hard part comes now. We need several things, starting with effective public policies. In most countries, presidential administrations change every few years, but policies guide national conservation actions and ensure continuity.

Cooperation is also essential. To implement “30 by 30,” we need local, state and international leaders to work together. I’m especially interested in the role of communities and local governments, which are often overlooked in global pacts, but have an important role to play. After all, they are closest to restoration and conservation efforts in the field and are key to ensuring the success of those projects.

Finally, we need to bring people into this agreement. Protection doesn’t necessarily mean “off limits.” There are many conservation tools that governments can implement to protect biodiversity while still allowing people to benefit from the land. It’s about making sure the people who live close to nature can live sustainably from it. That means working in cooperation with Indigenous peoples — which manage forests and resources in areas that are critical for climate and biodiversity, like the Amazon or the Congo Basin.

How can countries ensure the “30 by 30” goal includes Indigenous leadership and does not repeat past harms?

Ramiro Batzin: In Guatemala, where I’m from, communities have lived in the forests for hundreds of years. We have an intrinsic relationship with Mother Earth. For us, conservation is about integrating nature with the well-being of people. It’s a concept we call “living well” or Utz Kaslemal in the Kaqchikel language — that’s our way of life. It means that if you live in harmony with nature and protect your resources, you live better.

When countries talk about protecting 30 percent of lands and seas, they usually refer to the number of hectares conserved or species protected in an ecosystem. But those are not the metrics we necessarily use. For us, success means balancing nature, human beings and the universe — it’s a holistic approach. When you focus only on hectares you leave out the cultural richness that makes Indigenous people so successful at managing their lands. Countries must formally recognize Indigenous rights and territories — and the ways in which we use, manage and conserve our lands and natural resources. We apply our own norms, knowledge and systems of management. Successful conservation requires strengthening those management and conservation systems, ensuring our land rights, and recognizing our traditional knowledge.

The “30 by 30” goal will require increased funding for nature — where will that come from?

CC: When people think about financing conservation, they usually think of public funding or grants from philanthropic organizations. And yes – the private sector will play an important role in filling the biodiversity financing gap. But there are many other creative funding mechanisms we should tap into.

For example, the voluntary carbon market — which is expected to be worth up to $50 billion by 2030 — is a way for companies and others to help protect forests and mangroves. Green bonds, which fund projects that have positive environmental impacts, are also booming — they’re estimated to be worth $655 billion this year. There are debt-for-nature swaps, which enable countries to trade their foreign debt in return for a commitment to natural areas. Recently, Ecuador secured the world's largest debt-for-nature swap; it will cut the country’s debt by $1 billion while generating funds to protect the Galápagos Islands. That success is something that other countries can learn from and replicate.

How can countries better invest in Indigenous-led conservation?

RB: We need less bureaucracy and red tape — and more streamlined, simpler processes to fund projects that are guided by Indigenous values and priorities. Right now, international funding flows through intermediary agencies, which can take a significant portion in fees and administrative costs — meaning that for every dollar in funding, we might get only 60 to 70 cents. Financial processes must take into account the rights of those who conserve nature. It is time to put an end to mechanisms that are detrimental to nature and to humanity.

We need strengthen and find new ways for Indigenous organizations to administer more funding aligned with the needs and realities of their communities. That includes helping organizations navigate grant-making processes, which can require money to prepare proposals and pay for consultants’ fees. Where will we find resources for that? What if an Indigenous group doesn’t have a bank account or an accountant or systems to generate payments and billing? These are just some of the questions that need to be addressed to ensure our access to finance.

The Inclusive Conservation Initiative (ICI), which Conservation International recently helped launch, is a step in the right direction. This initiative is establishing a model for direct financial support for Indigenous-led initiatives and has already started allocating its first grants and strengthening the capacity of Indigenous organizations.

Are you hopeful about “30 by 30” moving forward?

RB: For the “30 by 30” goal to be successful, the world has to change what’s not working — not only in terms of conserving and protecting nature, but also in our models of economic development. We can’t create protected areas while at the same time allowing subsidies for businesses that destroy nature. We have to change our relationship with nature, and we all need to pull together. Countries that are home to a majority of Earth’s species could set an example.

CC: I think we need to have a common language to talk about this goal, so everyone understands it and can make it their own. We need to move this conversation out of the convention halls and conference rooms and begin a process of broader engagement, where people start talking about caring for biodiversity from a young age. I think we can get there.