Voices of Indigenous Peoples, Demanding Promises for an Inclusive and Equitable Future of Conservation in Indonesia

Following up on the efforts to address the biodiversity and climate crisis designed by member countries of the Convention on Biological Diversity (including Indonesia) as outlined in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), the Secretariat of the Working Group ICCAs Indonesia (WGII) held a talk show themed "Demanding Promises for an Inclusive and Equitable Future of Conservation in Indonesia". In the talk show, there are 2 important agendas to be discussed: first, the formulation of the Indonesia Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (IBSAP) as the main instrument mandated by the CBD to implement the results of the KM-GBF, and second, the Bill on the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems (KSDAHE) which is currently in the legislative process in parliament.

Cindy Julianty, Program Manager of WGII, explained, "the purpose of this event is to provide the public with an understanding of the current state of biodiversity, the current conservation efforts, and the important parts of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; To discuss national policy directions that support inclusive and equitable conservation, especially post-COP-15; To serve as a platform for socializing the agenda and developments in the formulation of the Indonesia Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (IBSAP) and the Bill on the Conservation of Biological Natural Resources and Their Ecosystems (KSDAHE) to the public; To listen to direct aspirations from Indigenous and Local Communities (ICCA stakeholders) for the future of conservation efforts in Indonesia; To find solutions and recommendations for the efforts being made by parties to realize an inclusive and equitable future of conservation."

This event was held both online and offline in the meeting room of the AONE hotel, Jakarta, on Monday (12/06). The event was attended by various elements such as representatives of government officials, representatives of indigenous communities, representatives of civil society organizations, partners, and academics. During the discussion process, the Chairperson of FoMMA (Forum of Indigenous Peoples of Kayan Mentarang Malinau), Dr. Dolvina Damus, as a representative of Indigenous and Local Communities, conveyed her aspirations regarding the future of conservation efforts in Indonesia. Reflecting on conservation cases in the Kayan Mentarang National Park area, she urged the government to place indigenous peoples in an equal position as partners involved in the conservation process.

"If conservation is interpreted as preserving, protecting. Then we (indigenous peoples) are the actors," asserted Dr. Dolvina Damus. This relates to the term conservation, which means preserving and protecting, and according to her, those who truly become the guardians and protectors of the forest or biodiversity are the indigenous peoples. The event concluded with planning a discussion related to the formation of an aspiration platform for ICCA stakeholders to be held the following day.