Date: October 19, 2026
This report forms part of the collective work of RRI members in Latin America to strengthen rights-based conservation and advocacy leading up to the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), prioritizing negotiations on the Guidelines for Implementing Targets 2 and 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework, within the context of Task 1.1 of the Programme of Work through 2030 on Article 8(j).
At COP17, we are faced with a strategic and defining task for the future direction of conservation and climate stability on our planet: ensuring that Indigenous and Traditional Territories (ITTs) serve as a third pathway—or, better yet, the primary pathway—for conservation, while respecting the sovereignty, protection, and resources necessary for Indigenous Peoples (IPs), Afro-descendant Peoples (ADPs), and local communities (LCs) to continue managing all customary lands and territories, including those included in or incorporated into new or existing protected areas (PAs) or other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs). However, achieving this benchmark and ensuring effective protection depends on the outcomes of the negotiations at COP17.
Implementing Targets 2 and 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework represents an opportunity to strengthen rights-based conservation. The guidelines for implementing these targets will be decisive in determining how States will recognize—or limit—the role of IPs, ADPs, and LCs in implementing these targets.
This report analyzes the state of the negotiations in light of the normative evolution of the CBD toward a rights-based approach, the available scientific and technical evidence on the contribution of IPs, ADPs, and LCs to conservation; and a comparison of the Zero Draft of the Guidelines3, the Panama Draft4, and proposals submitted by Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and Afro-descendant Peoples5. Based on this analysis, the report identifies the main opportunities, risks, and advocacy priorities ahead of COP17 in Yerevan, October 19–30, 2026.