NGO comments on COP7

SwedBio supported several initiatives to increase local and NGO participation at COP7. One of these initiatives was coordinated by the Environment  Liaison Center International (ELCI) and was directly aimed at strengthening the voice of civil society at COP7. The support from SwedBio included production of a daily ECO-newsletter and sponsoring of NGO-participants from the south. These are the reports, experiences and opinions of some of them.

"We, mobile pastoralist, at one time had full control of our resources.  With the participation of the elders of our tribe and sub-tribes, we managed the pastures and with our participatory management approach we were able to live side by side with the wildlife.  We were able to save the rich biodiversity of our land.  Unfortunately, today we have little control over our livelihood and our natural resources.  What I would like to do is to revive the traditional management systems of pastoralists in Iran". (Sayyaad Soltani, Kuhi Sub-tribe of the Qashqai Nomadic Pastoralists of Iran). Read more>>>(pdf)

"One of the key discussion topics at COP7 was on Protected Areas. Through both TILCEPA, and the NGO network, I closely followed the discussions, and made various inputs to the development of the Programme of Work (POW), which delegates decided upon by the end of COP7. In particular, I focused on the issues of protected areas and indigenous peoples and local communities, which has been one of my main areas of work in the last couple of decades" (Ashish Kothari - Kalpavriksh, India). Read more>>>(pdf)

"During my participation in the Global Biodiversity Forum-19 and the COP-7 I learned about and began to understood many issues and concerns about the conservation and sustainable of biodiversity and in particular how policy making at the global level is developed. Also, I had excellent opportunities to network with other NGOs, research institutions and local community groups and indigenous and mobile peoples' representatives" (Innocent Batamuriza, Solar Connect Association, Uganda). Read more>>>(pdf)

"(The NZ) Government had not undergone any credible level of consultation or discussion with Maori about the COP7 agenda items and yet the delegation was actively participating in the text negotiations for the international regime on access and benefit sharing of genetic resources and associate traditional knowledge, as well as trying to limit the scope of the decision of 8(j). . On my return to NZ, the work has not stopped.  I provided a briefing to the Associate Minister of Maori Affairs, to inform her of the issues from an indigenous perspective.  She in turn met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and was able to have an informed discussion with him.   There have also been a number of media releases on aspects of the COP7.  This was all made possible because of my direct attendance at the COP7 and the confidence I had therefore to report on negotiations" (Aroha Te Pareake Mead, Maori) . Read more>>>(pdf)

"My participation in the COP conferences was useful for me, and for my organization NGO VIOLA. It has strengthened our organization through an establishment of new contacts and information on activity of others international and national NGOs. When I arrived home, our organization lead a series of seminars and round tables for representatives of the scientific, governmental and non-governmental organizations with similar concerns about biodiversity protection" (Dr. Ludmila Zhirina, VIOLA, Bryansk, Russia). Read more>>>(pdf)

"Somehow, the knowledge of indigenous leaders engaged in international indigenous issues have given them a lot of advantages in local confrontations against insensitive governments and organizations who kept banking on political power to deny community rights.  I have actually experienced this advantage in the assertion of the rights of the Talaandig  people against the institutions who tried to suppress, manipulate and deny the rights of the tribe.  In many instances, I was able to articulate his arguments protecting the tribes with his broad knowledge of local, regional and international agreement, including the CBD . Attending the CBD was also been an opportunity to meet people who are concerned about the rights of the indigenous communities.  It  became also a venue to meet officials of  the government and discuss with them issues at the national level. As a matter of fact, I was able to talk with the head of  the Philippine delegation and requested  her to give attention to the indigenous peoples issues in the protected areas in the Philippines". (Datu Migketay Victorino L. Saway, Chieftain of the Talaandig People). Read more>>>(pdf)