ASG Brands Kehris: Peace with nature requires that COP16 outcomes advance human rights

Thank you, Chair.

Ministers, Excellencies, distinguished delegates, 

I wish to express my appreciation to Colombia, and particularly the City of Cali, for hosting the Sixteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Our world today is facing an extinction crisis that threatens catastrophic ecosystem collapse. 

Concerted efforts are needed to address biodiversity loss and its impact, including through conservation, as well as ensuring the sustainable use and sharing of the benefits of biodiversity. 

Such efforts need to be anchored in human rights.

I welcome States’ efforts to address biodiversity loss and its impacts. 

Unfortunately, they have far too often come at the expense of human rights.

In the name of conservation, Indigenous Peoples, people of African descent, local communities and many others, have been removed from the lands and territories on which they depend. And they have been subject to harassment, violence and criminalisation for defending them.

Since I arrived at COP16, I have met with several environmental human rights defenders.

The risks they face for all of us cannot be tolerated. 

Only human rights-based conservation measures can ensure positive outcomes for people and the planet. For instance, recognizing the rights of Indigenous Peoples to their lands, resources and territories is demonstrated to lead to better conservation outcomes. We also know that inclusive, participatory, and non-discriminatory processes lead to better results.

COP16 should adopt decisions grounded in evidence and human rights, that will ensure the operationalization of a human rights-based, gender-responsive approach to biodiversity action. 

This is a matter of ensuring better policy, and of State obligation under international human rights law. 

Businesses also have a responsibility to respect human rights. 

Human rights are integral to the important work being done at COP16 and should be integrated into its outcomes.

First, COP16 should request the CBD Executive Secretary to develop guidance on a human rights-based, gender-responsive approach to biodiversity action.  This would complement Human Rights Council resolution 57/28 on biodiversity and human rights adopted earlier this month which encourages OHCHR to support the Secretariat.

Second, it should make clear that human rights apply not only to the conservation of terrestrial areas, but also to marine and coastal areas.

Third, it should ensure all financial resource flows to protect biodiversity are consistent with human rights.

Fourth, it should adopt a new programme of work and institutional arrangements under article 8j that upholds human rights. 

Ultimately, making Peace with Nature requires ensuring all COP16 outcomes are grounded in and advance human rights.

Thank you.