UNESCO Elevates Indigenous Knowledge in New Global Biosphere Plan
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📰 The quick summary: UNESCO adopted a new 10-year strategy for biosphere reserves that significantly strengthens Indigenous rights and knowledge integration, creating a more inclusive framework for conservation and sustainable development.
📈 One key stat: Seven out of 34 targets in UNESCO’s new biosphere reserve action plan directly involve Indigenous peoples and local communities, marking a substantial increase in recognition of their essential role in conservation.
💬 One key quote: “Indigenous knowledge systems, scientific knowledge systems and local knowledge systems all need to come together,” Lidia Brito, UNESCO’s assistant director-general for natural sciences, said in an interview with Mongabay.
1️⃣ The big picture: UNESCO has adopted a new 10-year strategy for managing its network of 759 biosphere reserves worldwide. The Hangzhou Strategic Action Plan 2026-35 significantly enhances recognition of Indigenous rights and knowledge compared to previous frameworks, with seven targets specifically addressing Indigenous peoples and local communities. The plan calls for free, prior and informed consent in reserve governance, integration of ancestral knowledge into research, and recognition of ancestral territories. This blueprint connects directly with major global initiatives including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, positioning biosphere reserves as critical tools for global sustainability.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: Indigenous ecological knowledge now stands alongside scientific approaches as a guiding principle for biosphere reserve governance. The plan commits to advancing the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples by centering Indigenous communities in implementation processes. Direct acknowledgment of ancestral territories within the World Network of Biosphere Reserves provides formal recognition of Indigenous land stewardship. The framework creates tangible pathways for Indigenous participation in conservation decision-making, with examples like Chile’s La Campana-Peñuelas Biosphere Reserve already implementing reserved seats for Indigenous representatives on management committees. This inclusive approach combines diverse knowledge systems to foster more effective and equitable conservation outcomes.
3️⃣ What’s next: UNESCO’s MAB secretariat will design a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework within two years to track implementation progress. National committees must adapt these global goals into local management strategies tailored to each reserve’s specific context. The plan needs practical implementation tools and enabling policies to translate these commitments into meaningful action at the local level.
Read the full story here: Mongabay – Indigenous voices shape UNESCO’s new 10-year plan for biosphere reserves
