The Sixteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP16) just concluded in Cali, Colombia. The conference, the first since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) in 2022, focused on how to ensure and monitor that countries around the world meet the 2030 global biodiversity targets. Discussions were also held on the synergistic effect between biodiversity and climate change, protection of the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC), and benefit-sharing of genetic resources. Taiwan routinely participates as a non-governmental organization (NGO) observer, shares the results of actual biodiversity conservation cases at various side conferences and events, and holds exchanges and collaborations with various international organizations.
Taiwan Ecological Network (TEN) Planning and Cross-Border Collaboration, Promoting Indigenous Natural Resources Co-Management as a Conservation Model
Taiwan was invited to participate in the side conference organized by the International Partnership for the Satoyama Initiative (IPSI). For the first time acting as an organization, we brought together indigenous tribal leaders, academic institutions, and staff from the FANCA to present the case studies of natural resources co-management with the Saisiyat Tribe, Miaoli and the restoration of Nanzhuang’s
Citrus taiwanica. We highlighted Taiwan’s efforts in sharing the benefits of ecosystem services, revitalizing the traditional knowledge and culture of indigenous people, and policy planning for biodiversity and its outcomes. We demonstrated Taiwan’s commitment to mutual trust and assistance in the management of natural resources and conservation by local communities, as well as practical actions to realize the goals and concepts of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
In addition, at the PANORAMA side conference, the delegation presented the three-in-one integration strategy and results of “Community Forestry,” “Satoyama Initiative,” and “Taiwan Ecological Network (TEN).” It leveraged biodiversity spatial planning to systematically support local participation in governance, with diversified development of natural resources conservation, forest protection, forest recreation, and green economy industries. At the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) exchange meeting of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on natural resource monitoring and financial investment, team members also actively shared Taiwan’s experiences in conservation spatial planning through the integration of ecological data, identification of ecological hotspots, and habitat connectivity. We also support the conservation actions of indigenous peoples, local communities, and enterprises through programs such as ecosystem service payments, community forestry, and corporate ESG, making it possible for ecological protection, traditional culture, and corporate development to coexist.
International Trends in Biodiversity and Climate Integration, Local Community Participation, and Equitable Benefit Sharing
The COP16 passed a number of key resolutions, including the establishment of a permanent subsidiary body for indigenous peoples’ issues, which will incorporate the views of indigenous peoples and local communities into negotiations and decision-making; the establishment of the Cali Fund, which will require corporations to pay a fee for the use of digital sequence information (DSI), so as to repay nature’s benefits in a fair manner and strengthen justice in the use of resources; and in response to the agreement passed at last year’s Climate Change Conference, recognizing the synergistic effect of biodiversity and climate action to safeguard the sustainable development of mankind.
The FANCA is also updating its National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) based on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and will respond to international conservation trends with concrete actions. Since 2018, the Executive Yuan has supported the FANCA in implementing the inter-agency Taiwan Ecological Network (TEN) program, which has completed the spatial planning of conservation corridors linking important ecosystems such as the Central Mountain Range protected areas, low-elevation mountains and plains, and the coastline. It is now progressively pushing forward ecosystem restoration and connectivity and the 30x30 target, as well as guiding cross-departmental cooperation in the public sector and private sector investment in biodiversity conservation. The spatial blueprint and cross-domain cooperation network of the Taiwan Ecological NetworkTEN will better support Taiwan in responding to the challenges of climate change through Nature-based Solutions (NbS), such as the protection of important ecosystems to promote carbon cycling and the establishment of ecological links to assist in spatial adjustment of species habitats. All of these fully correspond with the emphasis of the COP16 on biodiversity and climate change.
In recent years, Taiwan’s biodiversity and forest management policies have shifted to promote sustainable resource use and benefit sharing, emphasizing the central role of indigenous peoples and local communities in conservation. In the past, the government’s practice of protecting national forests based solely on public rights has limited the right of access to natural resources of the neighboring communities and indigenous peoples, and even affected the transmission of traditional knowledge. Therefore, the FANCA has been actively promoting the transformation of its management strategy. Natural resource management is based on the premise of sustainability, taking into account both biodiversity and cultural diversity. In addition to respecting the right of use of the local communities and indigenous peoples, the FANCA has also adopted the principle of pluralistic participation and the application of traditional knowledge, as to ensure the sustainable utilization of natural resources and the sharing of their benefits. These policy changes and adjustments are also more in line with the content of the Convention on Biological Diversity and the direction of COP16 regarding the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs).
Taiwan’s active investment in biodiversity conservation, from overall conservation strategy planning, ecological data integration, and public disclosure to long-term local community partnerships, has been recognized and commended by many international conservation organizations. These efforts have enabled Taiwan to shine on the global biodiversity conservation stage and join hands in contributing to the goal of harmonious coexistence between humans and nature!
Working together to realize societies in harmony with nature: Mechanisms and tools to support on-the-ground initiatives
Monitoring Biodiversity within the Territories of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities