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9 December |
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10 December |
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11
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12
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SUMMARY |
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Third
Meeting of the Ad hoc Open-ended Inter-sessional Working Group on Article
8(j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Montreal,
Canada; 8-12 December 2003
Highlights
for Friday,
12 December 2003
 On
Friday, Working Group Chair Hans Hoogeveen (the Netherlands) opened the
closing Plenary. Delegates adopted 10 recommendations on: the integration of the work programme on Article 8(j)
into the thematic areas of the CBD; progress in the implementation of the
work programme; recommendations from the Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Issues (PFII); genetic use restriction technologies (GURTs); elements for
a sui generis system for the protection of indigenous and local
communities’ knowledge, innovations and practices; participatory and
communication mechanisms for the effective involvement of indigenous and
local communities in matters related to the objectives of Article 8(j);
draft guidelines for the conduct of cultural, environmental and social
impact assessments regarding developments proposed to take place on, or
which are likely to impact on, sacred sites and on lands and waters
traditionally occupied or used by indigenous and local communities; the
composite report regarding the knowledge, innovations and practices of
indigenous and local communities; and technology transfer and cooperation.
The recommendations will be forwarded to the seventh meeting of the CBD
Conference of the Parties (COP-7), to be held from 9-20 February 2004, in
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The
closing Plenary also adopted the meeting's report, and heard closing
statements.
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| CLOSING PLENARY: |
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Above photos: China, Brazil, Argentina and
others consult to reach compromise language on the communities' right to
control access, and the need for communities’ PIC when using traditional
knowledge already accessed without PIC, being subject to international
law. In the end, delegates agreed to retain brackets on both references to
international law and resume discussions on this issue at COP-7.
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| REPORT OF THE
SUB-WORKING GROUPS: |
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SWG-I
co-Chair Herity and SWG-II co-Chair Black Layne reported on the
proceedings of SWG-I and SWG-II, respectively and, with SWG-I co-Chair
Stevenson and SWG-II co-Chair Mulenkei, expressed their appreciation to
delegates, the Secretariat and support staff. SWG-I co-Chair Herity
commended indigenous participants for their professionalism.
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| CLOSING
STATEMENTS: |
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India, on behalf of the Asian region, Egypt, on behalf of the
African group, Colombia, on behalf of the Latin American and
Caribbean Group (GRULAC), Mexico (above), on behalf of the
Like-Minded Megadiverse Countries (LMMC), the IIFB and the US
expressed their appreciation and gratitude to the organizers of
the meeting.
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India,
on behalf of the Asian region, recalled Ghandi’s statement that
there is enough on earth for everyone’s need, but not enough for
everyone’s greed.
Above photo: Desh Deepak Verma (India)
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Egypt, on behalf of the African Group, stressed the need to
coordinate efforts with other relevant organizations.
Above photo: Ossama El-Tayeb (Egypt)
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Colombia,
on behalf of GRULAC, praised the efforts of indigenous
representatives. Above photos: Fernando Casas (Colombia)
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Stressing
the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities, Mexico,
on behalf of the LMMC urged developed countries to provide
additional financial resources to enable developing countries to
fulfill their obligations with regard to Article 8(j). Above
photo: Luz Maria Ortiz (Mexico)
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The
IIFB expressed appreciation for inclusive discussions and
highlighted: concerns that free PIC and recognition of customary
laws continue to be debated; the need for resources to ensure
indigenous participation in the elaboration of the composite
report; progress in shifting from intellectual property based
systems to truly sui generis
ones for the protection of traditional knowledge; the need for
urgent action to enforce COP decision V/5 on GURTs; access to
information as a key for effective participation; and the need for
indigenous networks and for governments� contributions to the
voluntary fund to promote participation. Above photo: Fred
Fortier (IIFB)
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CBD Executive Secretary Hamdallah Zedan said indigenous
involvement is essential to achieve the 2010 target to
significantly reduce the rate of biodiversity loss, and expressed
his appreciation to the Mohawk and indigenous community, Working
Group Chair Hoogeveen and delegates.
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Working
Group Chair Hans Hoogeveen (the Netherlands) commended
delegates for their hard work, constructive and cooperative
spirit, and expressed hope that the Article 8(j) Working Group
would be taken as a model for indigenous participation by the
other Rio conventions. He invited delegates to give a standing
ovation to the Secretariat for its work and dedication, and
gavelled the meeting to a close at 1.50 pm.
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