The International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity decided to walk out the Working Group on Protected Areas of the Convention on Biodiversity, as they were not able to participate effectively. A number of NGOs is formally supporting their decision. Support from the following:
1. Global Forest Coalition (New Zealand, Paraguay)
2. Pojoaju - The Association of NGOs (Paraguay)
3. Kalpavriksha (India)
4. Equations (India)
5. The Timber Watch (South Africa)
6. O'le Siosiomaga Society (Samoa)
7. Lensat/ Amigos De la Tienna (Colombia)
8. CDO (Nepal)
9. Global Justice Ecology Project (USA)
10. Forest Peoples Programme (UK)
11. World Rainforest Movement (Uruguay)
12. Friends of the Earth International
13. COECO-CEIBA/ Friends of the Earth-Costa Rica
14. International Collective in Support of Fishworkers(ICSF) (India)
15. Netherlands Centre for Indigenous Peoples (NCIV)
16. Ecological Society of the Philippines an IUCN-MemberIUCN-CEESP (Philippines)
17. CODDEFFAGOLF, Honduras AND REDMANGLAR INTERNATIONAL
18. ALMACIGA (Spain)
19. Waikiki Hawaiian Civic Club (Hawai'i)
20. Na Koa Ikaika o ka Lahui Hawai'i (Hawai'i)'
21. Ilio'ulaokalani Coalition (Hawai'i)
22. IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP);-
23. Centre for Sustainable Development (CENESTA, Iran);-
24. World Alliance of Mobile Indigenous Peoples (WAMIP)

Final Statement
15th February, 2008

Mr. Chairman, distinguished delegates,

Yesterday morning, the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) withdrew from the Working Group on Protected Areas because on the previous two days, indigenous peoples were not given the floor on matters of concern to them in a timely manner. This led to missed opportunities for indigenous peoples’ comments and proposed text to be appropriately discussed and reflected in the conference room papers (CRPs).

In light of the seriousness of this issue to us, and after evaluating our participation in the CBD process as a whole, and the impacts of its decisions to our lives, the IIFB has decided to maintain this withdrawal for the duration of the Working Group meeting.

We deeply appreciate the meeting between the IIFB representatives and the Bureau to address our concerns, which subsequently resulted in the Chairman’s announcement to allow indigenous and local communities and civil society to intervene in a timely manner on issues that relate to us. However, our right to full and effective participation remained unfulfilled. The IIFB therefore reaffirmed the decision to maintain the withdrawal and decided to continue to use the remaining time to discuss possible ways forward towards achieving full and effective participation in all future meetings of the CBD.

We appreciate the support of the Parties who have worked so hard with us and have understood and respected our decisions. We recognize that this is a process of understanding and mutual respect and trust.

We affirm that the CBD belongs to all of us – the Parties and the broader society, as set out in the CBD Strategic Plan. Therefore, our involvement and full and effective participation in this process is vital. The IIFB remains committed to the implementation of the CBD and we will continue to devote our efforts towards the protection of peoples and the planet.

Since the preamble of the CBD also recognizes the close relationship between biodiversity and indigenous peoples, we ask Parties and governments to take our views and concerns seriously, especially on this critical issue of protected areas.

We call on all Parties to work harder to foster the fullest participation possible for indigenous and local communities, and civil society, at all levels of the CBD implementation. This is our common responsibility.

Thank you.