Indigenous Peoples’ leadership at CBD COP17:

The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) brings together governments, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, and partners in Yerevan, Armenia, from 19 to 30 October 2026, to advance global efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and strengthen the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

At the UN CBD COP17, we join Indigenous representatives, women and youth, Forest Stewardship Council colleagues, and partners to advocate for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, leadership, and self-determination in forest governance.

We aim to advance meaningful Indigenous participation in biodiversity decision-making, forest governance, and sustainable finance, while promoting conservation frameworks and systems that recognize Indigenous territories, respect Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) and customary governance, and support Indigenous-led forest stewardship.

Throughout the conference, FSC-IF will participate in discussions and side events addressing biodiversity finance, Indigenous Peoples’ rights, gender, forest governance, and responsible business engagement.

Join us at these events:

• 22 October | 15:00–15:45

From Commitments to Accountability: How Assurance, Data, and Partnerships Can Mobilize Biodiversity Finance

Business & Biodiversity Hub (UNEP-WCMC)

FSC: Sharon L. | FSC-IF: Maria Esther D.

• 22 October | 17:00–18:00

Gender and Biodiversity in Latin America: Scaling Impact through Certification, Ecosystem Services and Value Chains

CBD Women’s Caucus Pavilion

Speakers: Valentina Figuera Martínez and Berta Medrano, CBD Women’s Caucus; Mega Ayu Lestari, Secretariat of the Working Group on ICCAs Indonesia, Camila Cosse Braslavsky, Support, Forest Stewardship Council; and Maria De Leon, FSC-IF.

Moderator: Dian Yusvita Intarini

• 23 October | 09:30–10:30

Halting and Reversing Deforestation by 2030: Implementing the COP30 Presidency Roadmap

Nature Positive Pavilion, Small Room

FSC: Camila Cosse Braslavsky and Anand Punja | FSC-IF: Maria Esther De Leon

Event details: https://lnkd.in/eyyRSQgt

• 23 October | 18:15

Healthy Forests: Indigenous Leadership in Forest Biodiversity Conservation

Spitak, Side-event Room 2

Opening remarks: Dr. Subhra Bhattacharjee, Forest Stewardship Council.

Moderator: Vivian Peachey, FSC Canada.

Speakers: Roshanak Kashkooli, Global Youth Biodiversity Network; Meenal Tatpati, CBD Women’s Caucus; and Vital Bambanze, UNIPROBA.

With support from Dian Yusvita Intarini, FSC-IF.

Event details: https://lnkd.in/egm6UEFs

• 23 October | 18:15

From Consultation to Co-Creation: Advancing Responsible Business Engagement with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

Lori, Meeting Room 4, Block 2, 3rd Floor

Co-hosted by the FSC Indigenous Foundation and UNEP-WCMC.

FSC-IF speaker: Maria Esther De Leon

Event details: https://lnkd.in/et9Yi2YH

Strengthening Dialogue and Collective Action

For the FSC Indigenous Foundation, participation at CBD COP17 is an opportunity to strengthen relationships, exchange experiences, and advance collaboration with Indigenous Peoples, governments, international organizations, and forest sector partners.

Biodiversity conservation must recognize Indigenous Peoples not only as participants, but as rights holders and leaders in decisions affecting their territories, forests, and futures.