The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has made important progress in the implementation of Article 8 (j) and related provisions. These advances occurred mainly in the Working Group on Article 8 (j) and related provisions (hereafter Working Group) at its seventh meeting which occurred in October 2012.

According to the decision IV / 9, paragraph 1 of the fourth Conference of the Parties (COP 4), held in Bratislava, (1998) it decided to establish an Ad Hoc Open-ended Inter-sessional Working Group to address the implementation of Article 8 (j) and related provisions of the Convention. The mandate of this working group is to provide to the Conference of the Parties with advice relating to the implementation of Article 8 (j) and related provisions.

The Working Group has made important contributions to the Conference of the Parties, from its first meeting in 2000 to date. The most important outcomes are the following:

Mechanisms and International Instruments

• The programme of work on Article 8(j) and related provisions (Decision V/16). Its work program was reviewed by Decision X/43.
• The Plan of Action for the retention of traditional knowledge, innovations and practices (refer to decision VII/16, E, Appendix).
• Voluntary Funding mechanism under the Convention to facilitate the participation of indigenous and local communities in meetings held under the Convention
• The adoption of three indicators for status and trends in traditional knowledge

• status and trends of linguistic diversity and numbers of speakers of indigenous languages;
• status and trends in land-use change and land tenure in the traditional territories of indigenous and local communities;
• status and trends in the practice of traditional occupations (decision X/43, para. 14)
• The provision of input to assist the finalization and adoption of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from their Utilization to the Convention on Biological Diversity
• Request to Parties to appoint National focal points on Article 8 (j) and related provisions.

Guidelines and Other Tools

• The Akwé: Kon Voluntary Guidelines for the Conduct of Cultural, Environmental and Social Impact Assessments Regarding Developments Proposed to Take Place on, or which are Likely to Impact on, Sacred Sites and on Lands and Waters Traditionally Occupied or Used by Indigenous and Local Communities
• The Tkarihwaié:ri Code of Ethical Conduct to Ensure Respect for the Cultural and Intellectual Heritage of Indigenous and Local Communities
• The Mo'otz Kuxtal Voluntary Guidelines for the development of mechanisms, legislation or other appropriate initiatives to ensure the “prior and informed consent”, “free, prior and informed consent” or “approval and involvement”, depending on national circumstances, of indigenous peoples and local communities for accessing their knowledge, innovations and practices, for fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of their knowledge, innovations and practices relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, and for reporting and preventing unlawful appropriation of traditional knowledge
• The Rutzolijirisaxik Voluntary Guidelines for the Repatriation of Traditional Knowledge Relevant for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity
• The Glossary of relevant key terms and concepts within the context of Article 8(j) and related provisions

Composite Report

• Finalized the composite Report on the status and trends regarding the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities including:

• Africa - Regional report on the status and trends concerning the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity
• Arctic - Regional report on the status and trends concerning the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity
• Asia/Australia - Regional report on the status and trends concerning the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity
• Latin America, Central America and the Caribbean - Regional report on the status and trends concerning the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity
• North America - Regional report on the status and trends concerning the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity
• Pacific - Regional report on the status and trends concerning the knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity