缅北禁地

Monaco conference spotlights Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities

This week, UNFFS Director Ms. Juliette Biao attended the first Conference of the Forests and Communities Initiative (FCI) in Monaco. The FCI is the result of a partnership between the Prince Albert of Monaco Foundation, IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law, International Ranger Federation, Global Forest Coalition and International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity to promote the conservation, protection and restoration of forests by Indigenous Peoples (IPs) and Local Communities (LCs).

The conference brought together roughly 100 participants from all over the world, including strong representation of IPs and LCs, with the aim of connecting actors, fostering discussions, sharing lessons learned and supporting communities of practice around forest conservation. The event consisted of a series of panels and fireside chats on relevant themes, including the use of Rights-based and Gender-Just approaches, the role of environmental law, as well as national and international funding and governance frameworks.

Ms. Biao was invited by Dr. Christina Voigt, Chair of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law, to comment on the UN鈥檚 policy and legal frameworks pertaining to IPs, and the engagement of IPs and LCs in the UNFF鈥檚 work and deliberations, including though participation in the Indigenous Peoples Major Group. The discussion further addressed the need for inclusive legislation as it relates to forest conservation, and highlighted good practices and lessons learned from around the world.

Ms. Biao took the opportunity of meeting His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco to extend an invitation to UNFF19 in May 2024, which was accepted.