Ancestral Knowledge, Biodiversity and the Future: COP16 through the Indigenous Gaze

Ubaldino García raises his voice in defense of the lives and territories of the Guatemalan Indigenous Community at COP16

Written by: Randolph von Breymann F., CGIAR Initiative on Climate Resilience (ClimBeR)

In a world where spaces for international discussions and negotiations about the future of our planet have been dominated by the interests of large states and corporations, the voices and presence of Indigenous leaders are now, more urgent than ever.

In November 2024, supported by the CGIAR Research Initiative on Climate Resilience (ClimBeR), Ubaldino García, a young Ch’orti’ Mayan from the community of Olopa, Chiquimula, attended the 16th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Ubaldino represents the Indigenous Youth of Latin America and the Bejuco Network – a collective of Guatemalan organizations that work to defend food sovereignty, agroecology, and territory. His message was clear throughout his participation: “Indigenous peoples are not only the custodians of ancestral knowledge that sustains biodiversity but are also fundamental actors in the protection of Mother Earth.”

When asked to reflect on his experiences at COP16, he highlights significant shortcomings such as the limited representation of Indigenous peoples and communities, especially of women, the elderly, and youth; the lack of formal follow-through structures for commitments; and the absence of spaces for open debate about conservation models that negatively impact Indigenous cultural rights and practices.

At the international policy level, Ubaldino observes that many of the spaces at the COP are still not truly open to Indigenous perspectives when it comes to listening and debating. Side events are often limited to report presentations, and the opportunity to discuss and propose solutions is constrained. However, community presence in spaces such as the International Indigenous Forum remains crucial, and Ubaldino emphasizes the importance of more Indigenous communities and representatives participating in subsequent COPs.

In his view, one of the biggest challenges is the lack of information and access to these spaces for many indigenous peoples, who often remain unaware of the international processes that directly affect their territories. “If more brothers and sisters had access to this information, we could have greater representation and assert our voice in global decision-making spaces,” he states.

However, he reiterates how, despite such injustices, indigenous communities have persisted in their mission to protect the land, rivers, and ecosystems. He notes how such communities possess “a glimpse of tomorrow,” because of the customs and traditions they continue to follow, in harmony with nature.

“Raising the voice of our people in these international scenarios not only requires access but also strengthening the groundwork on technical issues and guaranteeing effective follow-up strategies. For the upcoming COPs, it will be a challenge for the parties to expand these spaces and raise them to a level where everyone is truly included, so that our participation is not about tokenism, but rather has an actual impact in terms of the defense of our territories and ways of life.”

Here are some key insights that Ubaldino shared in terms of the representation and inclusion of Indigenous peoples at international discussions such as COP16:

• Access to the Blue Zone: “The Blue Zone is where critical biodiversity issues are discussed, and it was important for us to be there,” says Ubaldino. Participation enabled him to not only observe the internal dynamics of the COP, but to also identify the issues of resource allocation and Indigenous peoples’ rights as priority areas where he focused his efforts.
• An opportunity to explore key issues that directly affect Indigenous peoples and communities. These include resource allocation for community capacity development; and free, prior and informed consent – the subject of Article 8j of the Convention on Biological Diversity, around which a permanent Subsidiary Body for Indigenous Peoples and local communities was adopted and established.
• A failure to integrate the critical spiritual link to nature into COP16’s formal objectives. Ubaldino recalls how even at an event such as COP16, Indigenous peoples shared their connection to the land through rituals, meeting spaces and altars dedicated to their ancestors. It is this spiritual link to nature – which is what gives meaning to his own struggle – and in his opinion was starkly absent at COP16.
• Connections and alliances – a shared struggle. Ubaldino not only had the opportunity to share the challenges of Guatemalan Indigenous peoples at COP16 but also met representatives of other communities and organizations with a similar vision. He highlights, for example, the connection he made with Ecovida – a Colombian peasant organization aligned with the principles of the Bejuco Network. Ubaldino describes this convergence as an inspiring experience, highlighting how diverse organizations can come together in the fight for fairer and more sustainable food and agricultural practices. He also talked of how connections such as this not only allowed him to take his community’s message to a global stage but also to return to his country with valuable contacts and possible future opportunities for collaboration to strengthen the Bejuco Network and other community-based organizations in Guatemala.
• The complexities of Guatemala’s protected areas model. This was one of the topics discussed at COP16 as an example of the communal management of natural areas. For Indigenous communities, however, protected areas are much more than spaces for ecological conservation – they signify deep cultural and spiritual meaning. In his perspective, the current model of protected areas in Guatemala poses challenges and contradictions by allowing for activities such as mining extraction, oil exploration, and forest clearing. These traits do not reflect the Indigenous vision of a sacred and integral territory, in which each element, such as a tree or a spring of water, is invaluable to the community.
• The lack of representation of Indigenous peoples in conservation models discussed at state and corporate levels that ignore the spiritual and cultural relationship that indigenous peoples have with their territories.

“Biodiversity is not just an issue of ecosystems, but a living network of connected elements in which the human being is one among many.”

COP 16 and beyond: a message of hope and resilience

Ubaldino García embodies a sense of hope and renewed commitment since his return from COP16. For him, international fora such as COP 16 not only represents a platform for dialogue, but an opportunity to share with the world the ancestral wisdom of indigenous peoples, who have known how to coexist and care for the Earth for generations.

“We are part of a living network,” says Ubaldino. “Our fight is not only to preserve our knowledge but so that the world understands that we need a profound change, one that respects life and values ​​biodiversity as the sacred good that it is.”

Ubaldino brought the voice of Guatemala’s indigenous peoples to a global stage. His participation symbolizes an effort to raise community demands and knowledge, as well as a constant battle for representation, inclusion, life, dignity, and the continuity of ancestral cultures and territories.

By articulating these concerns and seeking strategic alliances, Ubaldino’s participation at COP16 offers a practical framework for initiatives like ClimBeR to promote equity, strengthen local systems, and advocate for a resilience approach that respects and amplifies the knowledge of Indigenous communities.

His work and his involvement in COP16 also reinforce the relevance of integrating community knowledge into the design and implementation of climate policies, promoting an adaptive approach that not only addresses the vulnerability of food systems but also honors and enhances community management and local sustainable practices.

Related reading:

Learn more about ClimBeR’s Disruptive Seeds Approach here.

Learn more about the Bejuco Network here.

Read this post in Spanish here.