News: International Union for the Conservation of Nature takes positive steps towards realising indigenous peoples’ rights in conservation
Over the last 10 years, governments and conservation organisations have made significant commitments at the international level to promote participatory conservation, and uphold the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities in protected area policies and activities. But, on the ground, progress to implement these commitments has been very patchy. In many cases, protected areas are still imposed through top-down policies and approaches, leading to the displacement of indigenous peoples, curtailment of their livelihoods and conflict over resources.Last month, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) took positive steps to address these issues at a high-level dialogue with indigenous peoples’ representatives and other conservation organizations during the 'Sharing Power' conference, in Whakatane, New Zealand. IUCN agreed to review the implementation of their previous resolutions relating to indigenous peoples, and in collaboration with indigenous peoples to develop appropriate mechanisms for implementing conservation programmes and projects that fully involve indigenous peoples and respect their rights.