Conclusions and recommendations

71. States must do more to respect and protect the rights of those who are most vulnerable to the degradation and loss of biodiversity. States should recognize that members of non-indigenous minority communities that have separate cultural traditions and close material and cultural ties to their ancestral territories have rights that are similar (but not simply identical) to those of indigenous peoples, and States should respect and protect their rights as well as those of indigenous peoples. States should support indigenous and local efforts to protect biodiversity, including through ICCAs, recognizing that the traditional knowledge and commitment of indigenous peoples and local communities often make them uniquely qualified to do so.

72. Businesses should respect human rights in their biodiversity-related actions, including by:

• (a) Complying with the Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights in all actions that may affect biodiversity and ecosystems;
• (b) Following the Akwé: Kon voluntary guidelines;
• (c) Implementing the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples with respect to extractive activities (A/HRC/24/41);
• (d) Not seeking or exploiting concessions in protected areas or ICCAs.

73. Conservation organizations should increase their efforts to fulfil their commitments to a rights-based approach to conservation, including by implementing the recommendations of the Special Rapporteur on the rights of indigenous peoples (see A/71/229, paras. 77-82), and by:

• (a) Sharing good practices;
• (b) Building more active partnerships with human rights organizations;
• (c) Conducting human rights impact assessments;
• (d) Establishing effective grievance mechanisms.