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Fragmentation in the Rio Conventions: A Barrier for Indigenous Voices

A recent report from Nia Tero, a non-profit organization focused on Indigenous rights, sheds light on the significant challenges faced by Indigenous peoples due to fragmentation within the Rio Conventions. This report comes at a crucial time, as global efforts to address environmental crises have never been more urgent.

Understanding the Rio Conventions

The Rio Conventions, established during the Earth Summit in 1992 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, consist of three pivotal agreements: the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD). These frameworks aim to address the interlinked crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, and land degradation. Indigenous communities, who have long understood the interconnected nature of these issues, find themselves at the periphery of decision-making processes.

Core Findings of the Report

Fragmentation Issue

The report emphasizes that while Indigenous rights have gained visibility in global discussions, the fragmentation of the Rio Conventions creates systemic barriers for Indigenous peoples to effectively influence environmental governance. Each convention operates separately, which undermines the holistic practices and knowledge that Indigenous communities possess in managing natural resources.

Minnie Degawan, a policy expert and author of the report, notes, "For Indigenous peoples, climate change, biodiversity loss, and land degradation are deeply interconnected and stem from an imbalanced relationship between people and the Earth. However, the three Rio Conventions treat these issues in isolation, creating barriers for meaningful Indigenous participation."

Recommendations for Improvement

The report draws on two years of dialogue with Indigenous leaders and representatives, along with in-depth analysis of institutional practices. It suggests that action from States, secretariats of the conventions, funding bodies, and Indigenous parliamentary groups is essential for enhancing coordination and ensuring that Indigenous knowledge, priorities, and leadership play a decisive role in global environmental governance.

Opportunities in 2026

As all three Rio Conventions are set to hold conferences in 2026, the report identifies a unique opportunity for aligning global actions to tackle intertwined environmental crises. By harmonizing processes among the conventions, it can lead to reduced redundancies, improved mechanisms for participation, and more effective resource use. This is particularly crucial as Indigenous peoples play a vital role in overcoming these global challenges, given their stewardship of many of the world's remaining intact ecosystems.

The Importance of Inclusion

Margarita Mora, Nia Tero's Program Director, asserts, "As proven guardians of large, intact ecosystems, Indigenous leadership is crucial in confronting the combined environmental crises humanity faces. The Rio Conventions must move beyond mere participation; they need to ensure that Indigenous voices can meaningfully influence decisions, implementation, and funding."

The findings from this report advocate for a comprehensive and inclusive approach to environmental governance, stressing the essential need for Indigenous inclusion in these critical dialogues to drive effective, sustainable solutions.

For more information and access to the full report, visit Nia Tero’s official website.