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CO-OP4CBD hosts its first training event on Traditional Ecological Knowledge in the context of the UN CBD

24 Jun 2025

In light of the upcoming first Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) meeting that will be held in Panama City between 20 and 24 October 2025, CO-OP4CBD project partners delivered a training session focusing on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and its role in the governance and processes of the Convention on Biological Diversity (UN CBD). 

Organised by the French Museum of Natural History (MNHN) and the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA) between 11 and 12 June 2025, in Trondheim, Norway, the training was designed in partnership with TEK holders to meet the following objectives:

  • exploring the definition of traditional knowledge and its importance for biodiversity policies
  • offering tools and knowledge on UN CBD governance structures, including the newly established Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and the new regional Centres for Technical and Scientific Cooperation
  • giving practical guidance to increase and strengthen the involvement of those representing Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) in UN CBD processes


The sessions were led and delivered by prestigious experts (e.g. members of the Convention's Secretariat and UNESCO, negotiators for Article 8(j) at COP16 and participants in the IUCN Cultural and Spiritual Values of Protected Areas Specialist Group) and indigenous knowledge-holders and representatives from a great variety of organisations and geographical contexts (e.g. the Forest Peoples Programme, Indigenous Science, the ICCA Consortium). A valuable opportunity was thus provided to increase knowledge on Article 8(j)-related topics.

The participants also had the chance to experience a UN-CBD-style negotiation process with a special simulation in which they were discussing recommendations on the future Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j), proposing ways to improve the participation of TEK holders in Convention processes and reflecting about indicators for IPLCs in relation to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework objectives.

Following this training, CO-OP4CBD will continue its activities related to TEK and IPLCs with the organisation of a workshop aiming to identify ways to mobilise European knowledge support for the UN CBD with traditional knowledge holders. Registration is available at this link.

Training materials used during this training event will be made available on the Training Corner of the CO-OP4CBD website during the following months.