137 - Affirming the right of Indigenous Peoples and local communities to sustainably manage and utilise wild resources in the context of COVID-19

137 - Affirming the right of Indigenous Peoples and local communities to sustainably manage and utilise wild resources in the context of COVID-19

Latest version in this language: Version as sent to Plenary | Published on: 04 Oct 2021

NOTING that since the publication of the World Conservation Strategy in 1980, IUCN has promoted understanding of sustainable use (as defined by CBD art. 2 and the IUCN policy on sustainable use of wild living resources, 2000) of wild species as a tool to benefit both conservation of nature and human development;

RECOGNISING that the COVID-19 global pandemic has wreaked enormous and unprecedented social, economic and environmental damages across the world and that the most probable scenario of its origins is a zoonotic spillover from an intermediate animal host;

UNDERLINING that in response to the pandemic any calls or decisions for the closure of markets where wildlife is sold or the halt of all consumptive use of wildlife must consider the socio-economic, food security, cultural and environmental impacts of these actions;

AWARE that it is critically important that utilisation, trade and consumption of wild species is legal and effectively managed, sustainable, and poses no significant risk of pathogen spillover, both to reduce the risk of future zoonotic disease outbreaks and to reduce biodiversity loss;

ACKNOWLEDGING that millions of people worldwide – but particularly Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLC) in vulnerable conditions – depend on the harvest, hunting, trading and consumption of wild species, and any policy decisions must be in accordance with relevant international conventions and must support their food security, food sovereignty, their cultural traditions, customary use and their right to use and manage their natural resources in ways that they determine themselves; and

MINDFUL that sustainable use is one of the three key objectives of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and that the post-2020 global biodiversity framework includes a focus on the fair and equitable sharing of benefits through sustainable management of wild species and protecting customary sustainable use by IPLCs;

The IUCN World Conservation Congress, at its session in Marseille, France:

1. CALLS ON the Director General, Council and all constituents of IUCN to recognise the right of Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLC) to sustainably use and manage their natural resources, wild species of animals, plants and fungi, within the framework of wildlife and nature conservation laws of their respective countries;

2. URGES the Director General, Council and all constituents of IUCN to ensure that responses to COVID-19 (and any future pandemics) should be well-considered and socially, economically and environmentally just, so as not to disadvantage the world’s most vulnerable people, particularly IPLCs who depend upon wild resources for their food security, food sovereignty, livelihoods, cultural traditions and customary use;

3. FURTHER URGES the Director General, Council and all constituents of IUCN to work to ensure that the utilisation of wild species is legal and effectively managed, sustainable, and poses no significant risk of pathogen spillover;

4. REQUESTS the IUCN Council and relevant Commissions to work on guidance as appropriate to assessments and policies designed to ensure that the use, consumption and trade of wild species is legal and effectively managed, sustainable, and poses no significant risk of pathogen spillover, with particular regard for the rights and needs of IPLCs;

5. ENCOURAGES all Members (State and non-State) to apply rights-based approaches to conservation and to advocate for conservation and public health measures and policies that consider the socio-economic, food security, cultural and ecological impacts of those actions, for IPLCs in their own states or within other states; and

6. FURTHER URGES Members (State and non-State) to ensure that investments and implementation of post COVID-19 economic recovery initiatives are nature-positive and fully consider the rights of IPLCs to manage and benefit from natural resources.

Sustainable use is one of three key pillars of the CBD, along with conservation and equitable benefit sharing. It has, however, always been a controversial and divisive subject particularly where it entails lethal use of sentient animals. Following the outbreak of COVID-19, opposition to wildlife utilisation has grown and global bans have been sought as a measure to prevent future pandemics.

The focus on banning wild animal use overlooks the fact that domestic livestock are a key source of zoonotic diseases but are not included in calls for preventive measures. It also overlooks the fact that there are clear relationships between zoonotic disease transmission and bothdeforestation and landscape change, often associated with intensive agriculture and livestock production. To reduce the risk of future zoonotic diseases, both the immediate pressures
of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation as well as the underlying drivers must be addressed through an integrated approach that works across disciplines, sectors, value chains and spatial scales.

Finally it downplays the reality that millions of people in the Global south and Global north rely on wild meat and fish for food and dietary security as well as for the realisation of cultural and other human rights. IUCN has been a staunch supporter of sustainable use and of social justice and human rights, as well as a critical partner in the development and implementation of CBD policy.

Covid-19 appears to have been used as a justification for promoting previously existing agendas that are against wildlife use and against recognition of fundamental human rights and self-determination. In an era of heightened concern about diversity, equity and inclusion, it is imperative that IUCN does not back track on previous commitments made and takes a strong stance against approaches that seek to undermine sustainable use and the rights of communities to manage their natural resources.
  • Coastal Oceans Research and Development - Indian Ocean (East Africa) [Kenya]
  • Jamma International [United Kingdom]
  • Namibia Nature Foundation [Namibia]
  • Namibian Chamber of Environment [Namibia]
  • NamibRand Nature Reserve [Namibia]
  • ResourceAfrica South Africa [South Africa]
  • The Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda [Uganda]

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