Delivered by: Co-Chair Lakpa Nuri Sherpa - Asia Indigenous Peoples Pact (AIPP), COD-ILK network member

For twenty days, we have been meeting in Montreal in the (Mohawk) nation territory of Kanien'kehá:ka (gah-nyen--geh-hah) traditionally known as Tiohtià:ke, (joh-jaw-gay) which has been welcoming us with cold, sunny, rainy, and snowy weather.

The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) celebrates the timely recognition of indigenous peoples and local community contributions, their roles, rights, and responsibilities to Mother Earth in relation to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). 

The urgency of action resulting from the environmental crisis does not end with the signing of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).  We must work quickly and efficiently for its implementation.  From the depths of our territories, our ancestors and authorities are urging toward serious actions to protect our Mother Earth and all life besides us. 

The Post-2020 GBF recognizes the integrity and distinct nature of the lands, territories, and resources of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) and our full and equitable participation in decision-making toward GBF implementation.  The IIFB will be your partners in applying the adopted monitoring and reporting framework as reflected in community-based monitoring.  Robust indicators for monitoring as contributed by IPLCs will provide a fuller picture of post-2020 GBF implementation, as well as the application of indigenous concepts and local languages.

We have spoken, and you have heard us.  Let us now put those words into action.

Recognizing our efforts also means increased and direct access to financial resources for all IPLCs in the seven bio-cultural regions inclusive of all landscapes and seascapes, less bureaucracy in financial mechanisms, and inclusion in the GBF governance committees in order to contribute to better design and grants implementation.

Indigenous women welcome the adoption of Target 23 and the Gender Plan of Action.  Its implementation will be enriched by the Inter-American Belém do Pará Declaration, report of the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples on indigenous women, and the recent Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) General Recommendation 39 on the rights of indigenous women and girls.

Regarding the twelfth meeting of Article 8(j) and Related Provisions, we hope that the necessary resources will be made available to ensure broad participation of indigenous peoples and local communities and consider new work program and institutional arrangements in order to take our work forward.  A face-to-face meeting of the Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group (AHTEG) to provide advice on a new program will be crucial and must be promptly convened, including preparatory meetings by IPLCs.

We give thanks to all our financial partners, particularly contributors to the Voluntary Fund for our attendance at the Fifteenth United Nations Conference of Parties (COP15). We also give our special thanks to our indigenous brothers and sisters in Canada, the Chinese Government Presidency, the Government of Canada for hosting us, and all Parties who worked tirelessly with us toward the adoption of a strong and transformative biodiversity framework.