The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity and the Conferences of the Parties (COPs)

The International Alliance of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forests has been an active member of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) since its establishment at the Third Convention Of the Parties (COP3) as the key forum for indigenous lobbying of the CBD. The IIFB was officially acknowledged to be a formal advisory body to the CBD in COP5 in Nairobi, a step that has enhanced the presence and voices of indigenous peoples in the CBD and related processes. Since this groundbreaking step at COP5, subsequent COPs of the CBD have seen active and effective work by indigenous peoples and indigenous organizations, as have a range of sub-processes regarding the implementation of Article 8(j), Access and Benefit Sharing, and others. The IIFB is coordinated through its Ad Hoc Coordinating Committee (AHCC) establishing prior to each COP.

COP9

The 9th session of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) will be held at the Maritim Hotel, Bonn, Germany from 19-30 May 2009.

For more information please visit: CBD website

For daily update on COP9 negotiation please visit Earth Negotiation Bulletin website

For IIFB Statements and Interventions please click here

Previous COPs

Below is information and documents (in Word format) resulting from the work of the IIFB, in which the Alliance is involved, at previous COPs.

COP8

The CBD convened its 8th Conference of Parties (COP8) on 20-31 March in Curitiba, Brazil. The IIFB held a preparation meeting for indigenous participants on 18-19 March in Brazil. For more information on the preparations for COP8, please click here.

COP7

Working Group on Protected Areas

During the Seventh Conference of the Parties in Malaysia, the Parties decided to establish a new working group - the Working Group on Protected Areas. The Working Group is mandated to elaborate on, and assist the implementation of, the programme of work on Protected Areas. The Working Group will meet twice in the lead up to COP8, the first meeting is to be held in Spain in June this year. Under the auspices of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity there has been a committee formed to follow the work of this

UN Working Group on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit Sharing, February 14th - 18th 2005

The Working Group on Access and Benefit Sharing under the Convention on Biological Diversity was held its 3rd session in Bangkok, Thailand on the 14th through 18th of February, 2005. For information and meeting documents please click here.