The Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is currently holding a global consultation on the draft Programme of Work on Forest Biodiversity (PoW Forests), a key component of implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This consultation seeks input on how the new global strategy for forests can halt biodiversity loss while addressing climate change, Indigenous rights, and sustainable development goals.
The draft strategy outlines global targets for forest restoration, sustainable use, and conservation. It also proposes indicators to measure progress and ensure that policies reflect ecological integrity and social equity. The consultation process has invited views from Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and other stakeholders to strengthen the role of customary knowledge, tenure systems, and cultural values in forest governance.
Aotearoa Indigenous Rights (AIR) Trust has submitted feedback calling for stronger recognition of Indigenous forest governance and protections against biopiracy. Our submission highlights five key issues:
- Strengthen Indigenous Rights Language: AIR Trust urges the CBD to centre Indigenous Peoples’ rights to control access to forests and associated traditional knowledge—aligning with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Recognise Forests as Living Ancestors: For many Indigenous cultures, including in Aotearoa, forests are not just resources but kin. The document should reflect worldviews that acknowledge the sentience and relationality of forest ecosystems.
- Oppose Forest Offsetting and Carbon Markets: AIR Trust warns that forest offset schemes, especially those driven by carbon markets, often displace Indigenous communities and commodify forests. They recommend removing offsetting language from the PoW entirely.
- Uphold Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) Commitments: Any work programme must ensure that commercial or research access to genetic resources in forests is subject to Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and fair benefit-sharing under the Nagoya Protocol.
- Support Indigenous-led Monitoring: The Trust supports the inclusion of Indigenous and community-led monitoring systems to track forest health, cultural values, and biodiversity. These systems should be recognised as valid and distinct from state-led science.
As the CBD finalises this important strategy, AIR Trust calls on global policymakers to move beyond tokenism and enable real Indigenous leadership. Forest protection must include protecting the relationships and responsibilities Indigenous Peoples have with the forest itself.
AIR Trust’s submission along with others can be read here.
Aotearoa Indigenous Rights Trust 