JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – At the conclusion of the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, Indonesia made a significant step forward by supporting the establishment of a new permanent body known as the Subsidiary Body on Article 8j (SB8j). This decision was reached after two weeks of intense negotiations.

Initially resistant to the formation of this body, Indonesia changed its position on the final day of the conference, showing a commitment to recognizing the rights of indigenous peoples. The Indonesian delegation emphasized the importance of compromise among member states as a reason for this shift.

Lu’lu’ Agustiana, a policy analyst with the Ministry of Environment and Forestry, highlighted Indonesia’s acknowledgment of the contributions of indigenous and local communities (IPLC) and their inclusion in all documents developed under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

However, the Indonesian delegation expressed concerns regarding the operational mechanisms of the new body, seeking clarity on how SB8j would function alongside existing bodies, such as the Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA).

The primary focus of Article 8j is the respect, protection, and recognition of traditional knowledge and practices of indigenous peoples in addressing climate change, aligning with conservation principles. The establishment of SB8j aims to provide guidance for achieving the targets set out in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF).

Civil society representatives welcomed the Indonesian government’s support for this initiative, urging alignment with Indonesia’s biodiversity action plans. They hope this recognition will ensure the protection of indigenous territories and their diverse ecosystems.

Syahrul Fitra from Greenpeace Indonesia emphasized the importance of recognizing indigenous rights in international forums, highlighting Indonesia’s constitutional mandate to support these communities.

Cindy Julianti from the Working Group on Indigenous Peoples stressed the need for clear guidelines on recognizing indigenous contributions to biodiversity targets, linking it to national policies like the Indonesia Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (IBSAP).

The formation of SB8j is seen as a historic achievement, positioning indigenous communities as crucial actors in biodiversity efforts. Civil society hopes this momentum will continue in future international climate negotiations, emphasizing the urgent need for the long-delayed Indigenous Peoples’ Rights Bill in Indonesia. (Uki Ruknuddin)