CALI, Colombia — Late on Friday, delegates reached a significant consensus at the United Nations conference focused on biodiversity, paving the way for the creation of an auxiliary body that will incorporate Indigenous communities in upcoming discussions and decisions related to nature conservation.

This conference, known as the COP16 summit, took place in Cali, Colombia, and served as a continuation of the landmark agreement achieved in 2022 in Montreal. The 2022 accord includes a comprehensive set of 23 initiatives aimed at preserving the planet’s diverse plant and animal species. Among these initiatives is an ambitious goal to protect 30% of the Earth’s surface, along with 30% of ecosystems that have been degraded, by the year 2030.

The inclusion of Indigenous peoples in conservation dialogues acknowledges their critical role and traditional knowledge in safeguarding biodiversity. Their participation is expected to enhance the effectiveness of conservation efforts worldwide, fostering a more inclusive approach that respects and integrates the insights and practices of local communities.

The agreement signifies a hopeful step towards more equitable environmental governance, aiming not only to protect natural resources but also to empower those who have stewarded these resources for generations. The upcoming initiatives, borne out of the meeting’s outcomes, will likely focus on collaborative strategies that align global conservation efforts with the cultural and ecological wisdom of Indigenous populations.