At the 2026 U.N. biodiversity summit in Armenia, Indigenous leaders are finalizing key governance details for a newly established body dedicated to amplifying their voices in conservation decisions. This follows historic recognition two years ago that marked a turning point for Indigenous participation in global environmental policy.
- New subsidiary body empowers Indigenous participation in biodiversity policy
- Focus on governance, funding, and implementation targets at COP17
- Indigenous knowledge vital to global conservation goals
What happened
At the 2024 U.N. biodiversity conference (COP16) in Cali, Colombia, a significant advancement occurred when the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) was established within the Convention on Biological Diversity. This body was created to enhance Indigenous peoples’ involvement and influence in biodiversity decision-making worldwide. Two years later, at COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia, Indigenous representatives are actively working on defining the operational rules, leadership, and funding approaches of this new body.
Lucy Mulenkei, a Kenyan Maasai leader and Indigenous advocate, has been instrumental in these developments. She brings extensive experience from her environmental journalism and activism background. At COP17, Mulenkei and other Indigenous leaders are pushing to ensure that the body effectively supports the participation of Indigenous peoples and local communities, providing a permanent platform where their expertise and rights can shape the implementation of global biodiversity agreements.
Why it feels good
For decades, Indigenous peoples have protected biodiversity on their lands but lacked official recognition and decision-making power in international conservation frameworks. The creation of a dedicated subsidiary body marks a historic moment of inclusion, reflecting a long-overdue respect for Indigenous knowledge and stewardship practices. This new body promises more equitable partnerships between governments, businesses, civil society, and Indigenous communities.
Many Indigenous advocates, including Mulenkei, view this development as not only a political victory but also a validation of their communities’ traditional wisdom and ongoing efforts to conserve nature. Lessons from their local and ancestral experience offer critical pathways for restoring and maintaining biodiversity, making their involvement essential for meeting the ambitious 2030 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
What to enjoy or watch next
As COP17 moves toward its conclusion, attention will focus on confirming the leadership structure, defining twelve priority tasks, and securing sustainable funding for the Indigenous subsidiary body. The effectiveness of this new mechanism will depend on how well these foundational elements are established and embraced by all stakeholders, including governments and international donors.
Looking ahead, observers, conservation groups, and Indigenous communities alike will be monitoring how this body influences biodiversity policy in concrete landscapes—farms, forests, fisheries, and urban environments—where implementation truly occurs. The hope is that this genuine inclusion will accelerate progress toward global nature goals, combining scientific approaches with time-tested Indigenous knowledge for a more sustainable future.