At the world’s largest biodiversity summit this weekend in Colombia, history was made! Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, also known as Cop16 reached a couple agreements that are a first for the convention. Since 1992, Cop16 has been promoting measures that lead to a sustainable future.

This weekend was special for indigenous groups around the world. After three decades of trying, they were given the ability to participate in nature conservation decisions. That’s not all though, as something else very special happened. A measure was added to recognize the importance of the role of people of African descent when it comes to protecting nature. 

A new subsidiary body will be formed that will provide indigenous peoples and people of African descent, a seat at the table so their voices can be heard. Two co-charis will be elected by COP, one of which will be nominated by representatives of Indigenous peoples.

“With this decision, the value of the traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants and local communities is recognized, and a 26-year-old historical debt in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is settled,” Susana Muhamad, Colombia’s environment minister and COP16 president, posted on social media platform X shortly after the announcement.