Indigenous Inclusion in Conservation and Concerns in Funding Gaps

At the recent COP16 summit in Cali, Colombia, delegates reached a historic agreement to involve Indigenous peoples in nature conservation decisions. This subsidiary body will facilitate inclusive decision-making, recognizing the importance of traditional knowledge systems in biodiversity management. The conference also saw commitments from major corporations to share the financial benefits derived from natural genetic resources, leading to the establishment of a fund with half of the revenue allocated to Indigenous communities. However, financial pledges were significantly below targets, raising concern about achieving conservation goals. Following the 2022 biodiversity accord in Montreal, which aimed to protect ecosystems by 2030, the summit outcomes emphasize the urgent need for increased financial commitments to tackle biodiversity loss.