24 September 2013: The Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) has released a report based on the results of the International Expert and Stakeholder Workshop on the Contribution of Indigenous and Local Knowledge Systems to IPBES: Building Synergies with Science.

The workshop, held in Tokyo, Japan, from 9-11 June 2013, was convened by the IPBES Multidisciplinary Expert Panel (MEP) and co-organized by the UN University (UNU) and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Japan’s Ministry of Environment hosted the event.

The report summarizes discussions on opportunities, challenges and needs with respect to indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) in the IPBES framework, and identifies appropriate procedures and approaches for creating synergies between science and ILK in regard to four themes: rethinking relationships between science and ILK; fundamental aspects of ILK; principles for engagement with holders of ILK; and capacity-building needs. The report notes consensus among experts at the workshop that substantial effort is needed to satisfy the IPBES Work Programme objective to develop an adequate and comprehensive set of principles and procedures for building synergies between knowledge systems.

Recommendations in the report focus on approaches and procedures for working with ILK in the IPBES framework, as well as recommendations for an IPBES conceptual framework itself. In regard to approaches and procedures, recommendations include recognizing indigenous peoples and local communities as having a distinct status as knowledge-holders and rights-holders; putting in place mechanisms to ensure attention to gender-specific knowledge and gender balance; establishing a working group composed of ILK-holders and scientists; and using a wide variety of media, languages, forums and communication processes to maximize participation and learning from ILK-holders.

With regard to an IPBES conceptual framework, the report recommends, inter alia, critically evaluating the ecosystem services framework; including experts on ILK in discussions on the framework; and ensuring participation by biodiversity and environmental managers in all IPBES conceptual thinking, priority setting and interventions.

Results from the report will be presented for further consideration at the second session of the IPBES Plenary, to be held in Antalya, Turkey, from 9-14 December 2013. [Expert Workshop on Indigenous and Local Knowledge Systems to IPBES] [Publication: The Contribution of Indigenous and Local Knowledge Systems to IPBES: Building Synergies with Science]