ABSTRACT
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) of 1992, although not constituting indigenous peoples’ rights and clearly implying numerous limitations in this respect, recognises, however, some of them, particularly in its preamble and in Article 8(j). At the same time, the CBD recognises protected areas as cornerstones of biodiversity conservation, expressed especially in Article 8(a) to (e), according to which each party to the Convention is obliged to establish national protected area systems. Under these provisions, a specific Programme of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA) was established to support the implementation of the Convention’s objectives. One of its targets, reflecting in particular the relations between indigenous peoples and area protection, is Programme Element 2 which contains the specific goal of enhancing and safeguarding the involvement of indigenous and local communities in the management of existing, and the establishment and management of new, protected areas.
