News: Recently, the first meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and Other Provisions (SB8J) issued recommendations on its functioning to ensure meaningful IPLC participation in CBD decision-making.
About Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and Other Provisions (SB8J)
- It is the first permanent body of its kind under any multilateral environmental agreement, providing a structured and continuous mechanism to represent innovations, and practices of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) concerns.
- Established: It was established by the Conference of the Parties (COP) of Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) at its 16th meeting (COP 16) in Cali, October 2025.
- Aim: It aims to –
- Advise the Conference of the Parties and other subsidiary bodies on matters concerning IPLCs.
- Support the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety and the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources, as requested.
- Strengthen inclusion of traditional knowledge, innovations, and practices within biodiversity governance.
- Track progress of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).
- Article 8(j): Article 8(j) of the CBD relates to traditional knowledge, innovations and practices, and SB8J ensures its implementation.
- Significance: SB8J marks a major step towards inclusive biodiversity governance, ensuring that IPLCs are active participants in shaping conservation policy.
- It aligns the global biodiversity agenda with fairness, respect for traditional knowledge, and equitable sharing of benefits.
