24 November 2010: The 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP 10) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) took a number of decisions regarding the work programme on Article 8(j) (traditional knowledge, or TK), including specific requests for input from Parties, indigenous and local communities, NGOs and other relevant organizations. The CBD Secretariat has invited all requested parties to submit their contributions by 1 April 2011.

Parties are requested to provide information on the implementation of the Article 8(j) work programme, including on participation of indigenous and local communities. Parties and relevant organizations are requested to submit information on national and international approaches relevant to task 15 of the work programme (repatriation of information).

Parties, indigenous and local communities and others are requested to: submit information regarding elements of sui generis systems they have adopted relevant to TK protection, as well as national and regional measures regarding TK protection, and case-studies on the interaction of statutory and customary laws; submit information on national approaches to facilitate tasks 7 (benefit-sharing), 10 (standards and guidelines for the reporting and prevention of unlawful appropriation of traditional knowledge) and 12 (guidelines for the development of legislation on Article 8(j) implementation) of the work programme; submit information on the implementation of CBD Article 10 with a focus on Article 10(c) (customary sustainable use); with regard to the in-depth dialogue on ecosystem management, ecosystem services and protected areas to be held in the framework of the seventh meeting of the Working Group on Article 8(j), submit information on the theme of the dialogue; and submit their views on the development of indicators on secure land tenure.