Meetings of the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and Other Provisions of the CBD Related to Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) (SB8j) focused on the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and monitoring its progress.

According to the Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) summary report of the meetings, these discussions contribute to “halting and reversing biodiversity loss and averting the biodiversity crisis as the GBF’s 23 targets for 2030 and four strategic goals for 2050 offer a viable path toward the global vision of a world living in harmony with nature.”

A “celebratory environment” characterized the proceedings at the inaugural meeting of SB8j. Many delegates underscored that the establishment of a dedicated and permanent body on traditional knowledge and Indigenous Peoples and local communities’ (IPLCs) contributions to biodiversity stewardship “is not merely symbolic but paves the way for inclusive environmental governance.” But, as CBD Executive Secretary Astrid Schomaker stated, more needs to be done. “This is only the beginning of the journey, we still have mountains to climb to make the full promise of SB8j a reality for our Convention,” she said.

Indeed, as the ENB analysis notes, during SB8j’s meeting, “[t]ensions between the long-established Party-led processes of subsidiary bodies clashed with aspirations and demands for more participatory and inclusive processes,” including in discussions on the selection process for IPLC Co-Chairs and on the recognition of Indigenous Traditional Territories (ITTs) that often do not align with national boundaries.

SBSTTA approved the annotated outline of the global report on collective progress in GBF implementation and requested that the Secretariat prepare the report under the guidance of the Ad Hoc Scientific and Technical Advisory Group. SB8j provided advice on traditional knowledge, innovations, and practices from IPLCs for the global report and requested the Secretariat to utilize this advice.

Negotiations in SBSTTA revealed divergent views on, among other issues, matters related to the work programme of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), risk assessment and risk management of living modified organisms (LMOs), biodiversity and climate change, and areas of potential work in the context of the GBF, ENB reports.

SBSTTA adopted ten recommendations to forward to the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 17). SB8j-1 adopted six recommendations to forward to COP 17 – but was unable to agree on the modalities of its modus operandi, forwarding it to COP 17 entirely bracketed.

ENB also flags terminology issues that resurfaced under the SB8j agenda item addressing the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) recommendations. While some delegates supported UNPFII’s call to “eliminate the use of the term ‘local communities’ in conjunction with Indigenous Peoples, and to distinguish between the terms, in ongoing processes, policies, and new international agreements at all levels,” others expressed stern opposition. They recalled established CBD practice and decisions indicating that the term ‘Indigenous Peoples and local communities’ is to be used in the future. They also cautioned against “relativizing the rights of local communities and their access to finance.”

Convening back-to-back, SBSTTA’s 27th meeting and SB8j’s first meeting took place from 20-24 and 27-30 October, respectively, in Panama City, Panama. COP 17 is scheduled from 19-30 October 2026 in Yerevan, Armenia. [ENB Coverage of SBSTTA 27 and SB8j 1]