Indigenous Knowledge Will Strengthen UN High Seas Biodiversity Treaty
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📰 The quick summary: Indigenous leaders are advocating for formal inclusion in the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty implementation process to ensure their traditional knowledge and rights are incorporated in ocean conservation efforts.
📈 One key stat: Two-thirds of the high seas support important fisheries for Indigenous and coastal communities and provide migratory routes for numerous marine species, making Indigenous participation crucial for effective conservation.
💬 One key quote: “It is no longer appropriate to merely acknowledge our presence, but to seek our input, counsel, and our collective decision-making for ocean conservation and solutions,” says Solomon Kahoʻohalahala, chairperson of Maui Nui Makai Network.
1️⃣ The big picture: Indigenous leaders from around the world are pushing for meaningful representation in the implementation of the High Seas Biodiversity Treaty, which covers waters outside national jurisdictions. During the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues in New York City, representatives advocated for integration into all treaty bodies and committees rather than mere acknowledgment of their presence. The treaty, adopted by the UN in 2023, aims to conserve marine biodiversity in international waters, which face escalating threats from overfishing, rising ocean temperatures, acidification, and potential deep-sea mining. Indigenous communities argue their traditional ecological knowledge and spiritual connections to these areas are vital for effective conservation.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: The growing push for Indigenous participation could transform ocean conservation by incorporating traditional ecological knowledge alongside scientific approaches. Indigenous peoples bring generations of understanding about migratory species, marine ecosystems, and sustainable practices that can enhance conservation efforts. Some countries have already expressed interest in including Indigenous representatives in the treaty’s subsidiary bodies and committees. The treaty itself mentions traditional knowledge and provides openings for meaningful Indigenous participation, creating a potential pathway for more equitable ocean governance. By bringing Indigenous perspectives to the table, the implementation process can bridge existing gaps in conservation decision-making.
3️⃣ What’s next: The High Seas Treaty will enter into force when at least 60 countries ratify it. Currently, 113 countries have signed the agreement, with 19 having ratified it so far. Delegates hope the agreement will be implemented by the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in June 2025. Indigenous leaders are preparing to establish a stand-alone committee to uphold their rights and ensure equitable participation.
Read the full story here: Grist – Indigenous leaders push for seat at the table of high seas biodiversity treaty
