The Sámi Parliament in Finland participates in the UN Biodiversity Conference in Armenia

COP17 is the supreme decision-making body of the Convention on Biological Diversity. This year’s conference in significant, as it will carry out the first global review on the progress of implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Discussions will cover, for example, biodiversity finance, implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, and issues relating to Indigenous Peoples and local communities.  

The conference will also continue the work to strengthen Indigenous Peoples’ participation in the implementation of the Convention. At the previous conference, a historic decision was adopted to establish a permanent auxiliary body to address the implementation of Article 8(j) of the CBD. Article 8(j) concerns the participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, as well as protecting traditional knowledge relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.  

– Establishing a new permanent body for Indigenous Peoples was a historic decision. Now it is important to ensure that this new structure genuinely strengthens Indigenous Peoples’ rights, the status of traditional knowledge, and participation in the implementation CBD, says Sámi Parliament President Pirita Näkkäläjärvi.  

The Sámi Parliament promotes Indigenous Peoples’ rights and participation

The Sámi Parliament’s key objectives at the conference are to safeguard Indigenous Peoples’ rights and participation, and to ensure that their status is recognised in relation to other groups, such as local communities. Particular attention is paid to the rules of procedure of the new auxiliary body on traditional knowledge SB8(j).  

– As part of the Finnish delegation, we support the preparation of Finland and the EU’s positions and bring the Sámi perspective to the negotiations. Cooperation within the Finnish delegation is an important part of our international advocacy work, says the Sámi Parliament’s Second Vice President Tuomas Aslak Juuso.  

At the conference, the Sámi Parliament takes part in the work of the Finnish delegation, follows negotiations that are important t Indigenous Peoples and works together with other Indigenous and Sámi representatives.  

Second Vice President Tuomas Aslak Juuso and Specialist for International Affairs Inka Saara Arttijeff represent the Sámi Parliament at the conference as members of the Finnish delegation.  

The Convention on Biological Diversity guides global biodiversity protection

The UN Convention on Biological Diversity is the central international environmental agreement on biodiversity. Its objectives are the conservation of ecosystems, plant and animal species, the sustainable use of natural resources, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits that arise from access to genetic resources.  

In Finland, the Ministry of Environment coordinates negotiations under the CBD as well as EU negotiations on biodiversity-related matters. In international biodiversity negotiations, Finland negotiates as part of the European Union.  

The Sámi Parliament participates in advocacy work related to the CBD and attends the conference as a part of the Finnish delegation. The Sámi Parliament’s objective is to promote the recognition of Sámi rights, traditional knowledge, and participation in biodiversity-related decision-making. 

Further information about the CBD is available on the Ministry of Environment’s website: International biodiversity policy. 

More information:

Pirita Näkkäläjärvi
President
+358 44 753 3766
pirita.nakkalajarvi@samediggi.fi 

Tuomas Aslak Juuso
II Vice President
+358 40 687 3394
tuomas.juuso@samediggi.fi 

Inka Saara Arttijeff
Specialist, International Affairs
+358 50 574 7629 / 010 839 3198
inka-saara.arttijeff@samediggi.fi