118 Ingrid Hall
have two minutes available to them each time, for each item or document that
is negotiated. Within this framework, therefore, it is important for IPLCs to be
able to agree among themselves in order to then express themselves with a single
voice in a clear and concise way. Moreover, outside of the plenary negotiations,
other spaces are accessible to IPLCs, whether through the representations of the
different countries, within specific regional groups, or in a more informal way in
the corridors where access is more difficult for an observer. Other spaces allow
IPLCs to express themselves more freely and at greater length. IPLCs may be
invited to make a presentation – for the opening of the event, for example, or
at the moment when negotiations on a particular topic begin – but this is quite
infrequent, given the extent to which a scientific and technical perspective predominates in SBSTTA debates. In addition, during these meetings, IPLCs may
organize or participate in side events, which are privileged spaces for presenting
the results of an ongoing project or piece of research (the Potato Park that is the
subject of Chapter 3 has often been presented at side events during the various
meetings of the CBD or other large international meetings of this kind, and this
has greatly contributed to its fame). These plenary presentations and presentations at side events may be organized or taken charge of by the IIFB, but presenters can also speak in their own name.
At the SBSTTA, IPLCs have little margin for maneuver to participate in
negotiations, and their participation demands a considerable effort at representation and synthesis, which rests largely on the IIFB – except in the case of more
restricted negotiations. It is at the opening of the event, or when beginning the
discussion of a specific item, that IPLCs find more open and less constrained
spaces to express themselves, and in such cases the IIFB may be mobilized,
although this does not necessarily happen. During SBSTTA meetings, nonetheless, these spaces are less open to IPLCs than during the WG8j.
At these meetings where scientific and technical considerations are in the
spotlight, the naturalist nature regime that predominates at the CBD is, unsurprisingly, omnipresent. At the opening of the SBSTTA – which follows the
WG8j – one feels a change in mood. There are more people, and certain countries that were not represented beforehand now are. The room is enlarged for
the occasion. One sees more suits, ties, and smart dresses. All of this gives the
impression that the serious business is beginning.
The Working Group on Article 8j (WG8j)
The complete name of this group is the “Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on
Article 8( j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological D iversity”.
This group was established in 1998 by the fourth meeting of the Conference of
the Parties (COP4) and in 2000, at the fifth meeting,
the COP adopted a program of work to implement the commitments of
article 8 ( j) of the Convention and to enhance the role and involvement
have two minutes available to them each time, for each item or document that
is negotiated. Within this framework, therefore, it is important for IPLCs to be
able to agree among themselves in order to then express themselves with a single
voice in a clear and concise way. Moreover, outside of the plenary negotiations,
other spaces are accessible to IPLCs, whether through the representations of the
different countries, within specific regional groups, or in a more informal way in
the corridors where access is more difficult for an observer. Other spaces allow
IPLCs to express themselves more freely and at greater length. IPLCs may be
invited to make a presentation – for the opening of the event, for example, or
at the moment when negotiations on a particular topic begin – but this is quite
infrequent, given the extent to which a scientific and technical perspective predominates in SBSTTA debates. In addition, during these meetings, IPLCs may
organize or participate in side events, which are privileged spaces for presenting
the results of an ongoing project or piece of research (the Potato Park that is the
subject of Chapter 3 has often been presented at side events during the various
meetings of the CBD or other large international meetings of this kind, and this
has greatly contributed to its fame). These plenary presentations and presentations at side events may be organized or taken charge of by the IIFB, but presenters can also speak in their own name.
At the SBSTTA, IPLCs have little margin for maneuver to participate in
negotiations, and their participation demands a considerable effort at representation and synthesis, which rests largely on the IIFB – except in the case of more
restricted negotiations. It is at the opening of the event, or when beginning the
discussion of a specific item, that IPLCs find more open and less constrained
spaces to express themselves, and in such cases the IIFB may be mobilized,
although this does not necessarily happen. During SBSTTA meetings, nonetheless, these spaces are less open to IPLCs than during the WG8j.
At these meetings where scientific and technical considerations are in the
spotlight, the naturalist nature regime that predominates at the CBD is, unsurprisingly, omnipresent. At the opening of the SBSTTA – which follows the
WG8j – one feels a change in mood. There are more people, and certain countries that were not represented beforehand now are. The room is enlarged for
the occasion. One sees more suits, ties, and smart dresses. All of this gives the
impression that the serious business is beginning.
The Working Group on Article 8j (WG8j)
The complete name of this group is the “Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group on
Article 8( j) and Related Provisions of the Convention on Biological D iversity”.
This group was established in 1998 by the fourth meeting of the Conference of
the Parties (COP4) and in 2000, at the fifth meeting,
the COP adopted a program of work to implement the commitments of
article 8 ( j) of the Convention and to enhance the role and involvement