Indigenous Theologians Address UN Biodiversity Conference
Theologians advocate for Indigenous rights and land knowledge at the COP17 meeting in Yerevan.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Environmental
Live Poll
Should international environmental policies prioritize the land management knowledge of Indigenous communities?
Indigenous theologians presented perspectives on land management and rights at the Faith Hub during the COP17 biodiversity conference in Yerevan. Representatives highlighted the displacement of families from Cartí Sugdup due to rising sea levels.
Why it matters
The speakers are advocating for the official recognition of Indigenous rights and traditional knowledge to protect global biodiversity. This effort aligns with Article 8(j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which mandates government respect for Indigenous wisdom.
The conference marks the 17th iteration of the biodiversity COP, which is part of a broader set of international environmental meetings. Efforts are now focused on integrating policy across these sessions, including the recent desertification COP in Ulaanbaatar.
The players
Jocabed Solano
Jocabed Solano is an Indigenous theologian who advocates for the recognition of traditional knowledge at international climate forums.
World Council of Churches
The World Council of Churches is an international ecumenical organization that works to promote integrated policy and climate justice across global environmental conferences.
The details
The World Council of Churches is coordinating advocacy across three UN environmental conferences to push for climate justice. Jocabed Solano presented at the Faith Hub, emphasizing the environmental challenges faced by Indigenous communities like those who abandoned their territory in Panama.
Timeline
August 2026: Ulaanbaatar hosted the desertification COP17.
October 20, 2026: Jocabed Solano spoke at the Faith Hub.
October 2026: Yerevan hosted the biodiversity COP17.
November 9-20, 2026: COP31 UN climate conference meets in Antalya.
2025-2034: Ecumenical Decade of Climate Justice Action.
The Big Picture
These advocacy efforts extend the protections established by Article 8(j) of the Convention on Biological Diversity, which requires governments to respect and promote Indigenous knowledge. This paradigm shift moves traditional expertise from the periphery to the center of global biodiversity policy.
Greater integration of traditional land management practices could reshape future environmental regulations and climate mitigation strategies. These policies eventually influence agricultural standards, land usage laws, and the protection of vulnerable territories worldwide.
The takeaway
Advocacy groups are currently promoting a ten-year commitment to climate justice, spanning from 2025 through 2034. Readers interested in environmental policy can track how these integrated global standards influence local conservation efforts and land management laws.
What happens next
The UN climate conference, COP31, is scheduled to take place in Antalya from November 9 to November 20, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Environmental policy.
Source note: This article includes information reported by World Council of Churches.
Live Poll
Should international environmental policies prioritize the land management knowledge of Indigenous communities?
