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 … Continue reading Protecting Forests with Indigenous Knowledge: What AIR Trust Recommends
The conference concluded unexpectedly when countries could not reach an agreement on establishing a new fund during an extensive 10-hour final plenary session that went all night and past dawn on the morning of 2 November. Delegates engaged in intense discussions late into the night, trying to address the numerous items on the agenda.
AIR trust has participated in meetings of the Human Rights Council for more than 20 years, primarily through sessions of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. In October 2024, AIR Trust co-founder Tracey Whare was invited to speak to 3rd Meeting of the Second Intersessional Meeting on the Participation of Indigenous Peoples during the 57th … Continue reading Tracey Whare speaks to the Human Rights Council
this Q+A with Air trust member katie lee riddle (rongowhakaata) was originally published by cultural survival (10/10/24) KatieLee Riddle descends from the Iwi of Rongowhakaata on the East Coast of New Zealand’s North Island. She is a Māori researcher at Te Kotahi Research Institute, an interdisciplinary research hub based at the University of Waikato in … Continue reading Digital Sequence Information Poses Risks to Indigenous Peoples’ Rights and Biodiversity
Manu Caddie provides some reflections on two weeks of rugged negotiations after 25 years of work towards a global Treaty to protect the rights of Indigenous peoples and prevent biopiracy. The global Intellectual Property (IP) system supposedly protects inventions and incentivises individuals, companies and countries to invest in creating new things. Patents, trademarks/brands, copyrighted artistic … Continue reading Reflections from the WIPO GRATK Treaty Negotiations
The WGDSI-1 report below summarises where we are up to in the DSI discussions. The annex of the document contains each of the points that are to be discussed in the IAG. Hopefully this doc gives readers a good idea of where things are at and have developed since COP15 Decision 15/9 (December 2022). KatieLee … Continue reading DSI Working Group Report
On 28 March 2023, AIR Trust submitted these documents to the Secretariat of the UN Convention on Bioloas views from AIR Trust, on behalf of an independent group of interdisciplinary Māori researchers, community members, and stakeholders. The submission relates to CBD Article 8j, and the issues for further consideration as reproduced from the Annex to COP15 Decision … Continue reading Decision 15/9 Submission
Katie Lee Riddle attended COP15 and provided the following report to AIR Trust on her return. COP15 AIR Trust ReportDownload
In the realm of genetic resources, the principles of fair and equitable benefit sharing are paramount, especially under the framework of the Nagoya Protocol. A paper co-authored by Aotearoa Indigenous Rights Trust member Katie Lee Riddle was recently published on the importance of including the source of metadata used in research and commercial contexts. The … Continue reading Benefit sharing: Why inclusive provenance metadata matters
At the Second Session of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on 13 May 2003 Indigenous groups stressed the need for disaggregated ethnic data, increased Secretariat funding and closer cooperation with United Nations agencies, as the Forum on Indigenous Issues discussed its methods of work with the United Nations system in two meetings. Tracey Whare, of the … Continue reading AIR Trust at 2nd Session of Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues
Aotearoa Indigenous Rights Trust 