Joint views from the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN), the CBD Women’s Caucus, and the CBD Alliance.
The term “Actors Other than National Governments” should not be used across CBD agenda items, outside of the context of the communication of commitments.
The terminology “Actors other than national governments” (AONG) was originally used in the context of the communication of commitments. We oppose the use of this term beyond this context because it is vague, obscures differentiated roles, rights, needs and responsibilities, and leads to unclear guidance for Parties, the Secretariat, and the diverse actors involved. Furthermore, it promotes binary thinking between national governments and everyone else, which is too simplistic for a Convention and Framework that relies on action and ownership from diverse and distinct actors and sectors from the whole-of-society to achieve its objectives.
In most cases where the term “actors other than national governments” is used, we propose the use of the language “major groups and other stakeholders.”
The whole-of-society is integral and vital for KMGBF implementation, but diverse social actors have specific roles and special contributions according to their relationships with nature, competence, knowledge systems, priorities, and needs. The language “major groups and other stakeholders” acknowledges the distinctiveness of these groups, their common recognition as actors more than simply “not-a-government”, while still allowing for simpler language that could facilitate negotiations.
This terminology is already widely used and universally understood in different UN spaces, in particular by the UN General Assembly in the SDG context (See: Agenda 21 and General Assembly Resolutions 66/288, 67/290, 70/1, 70/299 and 72/305), as well as by UNEP. This list of major groups refers to Indigenous Peoples, Farmers, Women, Children and Youth, Workers and Trade Unions, Non-governmental organizations, Local Authorities, Scientific and technological community, Business and Industry, while other stakeholders are mentioned here.
It remains critical to name key actors, including indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth and/or persons with disabilities, as appropriate.
Decisions under the CBD must continue to be nuanced and carefully considered based on the context. Negotiations must consider appropriate language for specific cases. For instance, in light of Targets 1, 3, 21, and 22, Indigenous Peoples and local communities have specific rights and roles in relation to lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge. When referring to participation in decision-making, this must be considered in light of KMGBF Target 22, which considers the full, equitable, inclusive, gender-responsive and effective representation and participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth and persons with disabilities. Additionally, Target 23, recognizes women’s and girls’ equal rights and access to land and natural resources. References to means of implementation must also acknowledge the roles and needs of indigenous peoples and local communities, women, and youth, as referred to in CBD studies and decision 16/34.
For further information and detailed text proposals email gybn.policy@gmail.com