III. Conclusions and recommendations

Recognition of indigenous peoples’ rights

70. The promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples and their traditional practices, are key to sustainable conservation, biodiversity and climate change adaptation and mitigation measures. For States to put into action their development pledge of leaving no one behind, the obligations towards indigenous peoples must be at the forefront and must be reflected in effective policy measures and in the effective allocation of resources.

C. Conservation

77. There needs to be better understanding of indigenous traditional practices, such as rotational crop cultivation and forest management, and the contribution of indigenous peoples to the conservation, protection and sustainable use of biodiversity. Indigenous peoples should be consulted and participate in designing, implementing, managing and monitoring conservation initiatives and have effective access to complaints mechanisms to seek remedies for violations of their rights. National laws that make illegal the traditional livelihood practices of indigenous peoples, such as shifting cultivation, should be repealed.

78. Tourism cannot be prioritized over the rights of indigenous communities. Protected areas should not be declared, nor should UNESCO World Heritage status applications be submitted, without consultation and without obtaining the free, prior and informed consent of the indigenous peoples affected.