National Roundtable Discussion on Indigenous Peoples and Biodiversity in the Philippines

A national Roundtable Discussion on Indigenous Peoples and Biodiversity was held on November 29-30, 2023 through the collaboration of Partners for Indigenous Knowledge Philippines, Centers of Distinction on Indigenous and Local Knowledge, Philippine ICCA, NTFP-EP Asia, PAFID, and Tebtebba, with support from Transformative Pathways.

With representatives from 26 indigenous groups, civil society organizations, and NGOs, the participants identified their concerns and proposed recommendations in achieving the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and firmed up strategies for participation in consultation processes for the Philippine Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (PBSAP). One of the outputs of the roundtable is a compilation of Indigenous Peoples’ analysis of gaps, plans, and recommendations for national actions on biodiversity that can guide discussions in various fora.

Indigenous peoples continue to call for full and meaningful participation in planning and decision-making processes and the recognition of their unparalleled contributions in biodiversity conservation.