SB8J Panama Meeting Explained: UPSC Current Affairs

Description

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Picture Courtesy: DOWNTOEARTH

Context

The inaugural session of the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and Related Provisions (SB8J-1) under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) took place in Panama City.

What is the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)?

Established at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit, guided by three core objectives:

Conservation of biological diversity,
Sustainable use of its components, and
Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from genetic resources.

CBD Articles 8(j) and 10(c) highlight traditional knowledge and sustainable practices, but past conservation efforts frequently overlooked Indigenous rights and wisdom in favor of a top-down approach.

Establishment of SB8J—decided at COP 16 in Cali, Colombia (2024)—as the first permanent subsidiary body under any multilateral environmental agreement dedicated to Indigenous participation.

Inaugural SB8J-1 meeting at Panama established how Indigenous-led biodiversity governance will operate within the CBD. Delegates achieved progress on:

Integrating Traditional Knowledge: Integrate Indigenous knowledge into the first global progress report on the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), to be reviewed at COP 17 in Yerevan, Armenia (2026).
Operationalizing SB8J: Discussed governance structures and mechanisms for ensuring effective Indigenous representation.
Developing Implementation Guidelines: Work advanced on translating Article 8(j) into clear, actionable policies.
Promoting Inclusion: Strong emphasis was placed on empowering Indigenous women and youth in biodiversity decision-making.

What is Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)?

The KMGBF (2022) is the CBD's strategic plan to stop biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve ecological harmony by 2050, integrating the participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (ILC) into its four long-term goals and 23 global targets.

Conclusion

The Panama Meetings were crucial for global biodiversity governance, aiming for a more effective, just, and equitable conservation framework by integrating Indigenous perspectives and linking biodiversity with human rights.

Source: DOWNTOEARTH

Attempt Daily Quiz

PRACTICE QUESTION

Consider the following statements about the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF):

1. It is managed by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

2. It support conservation actions led by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs).

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) is managed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The World Bank serves as the Trustee for the fund.

Statement 2 is correct: The GBFF has an aspirational portfolio-level target of allocating 20% of its funding to support actions led by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) by 2030.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The CBD is a legally binding international treaty adopted at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. It is the most comprehensive global agreement on biodiversity, covering ecosystems, species, and genetic resources.

The three primary goals of the CBD are the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits from genetic resources.

Adopted at COP15 in December 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) is a plan with global goals and targets through 2030 to address biodiversity loss and restore ecosystems.