To: Member States of the United Nations, Indigenous Peoples and their representative institutions, UN Secretariat, civil-society and relevant stakeholders
Dear colleagues,
The International Indian Treaty Council is pleased to share concept notes that build on our policy brief of April 3, 2025, on operationalizing Indigenous Peoples participation in BBNJ governance. IITC is an
Indigenous Peoples organization with General Consultative Status at the UN Economic and Social Council and represents over 300 Indigenous Peoples from North, Central, and South America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
The April policy brief was sponsored by IITC and developed through a broad consultation process from February 2 to March 28, 2025, using live Zoom consultations and written submissions from multiple regions. This process was grounded in Indigenous governance systems and knowledge.
Following PrepCom 1, IITC convened additional open consultations across regions. These produced the following four concept notes to inform PrepCom 2 and support practical, rights affirming implementation under the BBNJ Agreement:
Annex I: Establishing distinct observer status for Indigenous Peoples in BBNJ rules of procedure
Annex II: Ways and means of ensuring full membership for Indigenous knowledge holders in BBNJ subsidiary bodies and establishing Indigenous advisory mechanisms
Annex III: Establishing a voluntary fund for Indigenous Peoples’ participation and enabling direct access to grant-based funding
Annex IV: Modalities for the participation of Indigenous Peoples in BBNJ reporting
IITC intends to submit the above as Conference Room Papers for PrepCom 2. We invite Member States and stakeholders to review and draw on them in proposals. IITC stands ready to brief delegations, provide suggested text on request, and support constructive solutions that uphold the rights, knowledge systems, and leadership of Indigenous Peoples under international law.
Thank you for your continued engagement and partnership.
Sincerely,
Andrea Carmen
Executive Director
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IITC BBNJ Policy Brief of August 16, 2025
To: Member States of the United Nations, Indigenous Peoples and their representative institutions, UN Secretariat, civil-society and relevant stakeholders
Dear colleagues,
The International Indian Treaty Council is pleased to share concept notes that build on our policy brief of April 3, 2025, on operationalizing Indigenous Peoples participation in BBNJ governance. IITC is an
Indigenous Peoples organization with General Consultative Status at the UN Economic and Social Council and represents over 300 Indigenous Peoples from North, Central, and South America, the Caribbean, and the Pacific.
The April policy brief was sponsored by IITC and developed through a broad consultation process from February 2 to March 28, 2025, using live Zoom consultations and written submissions from multiple regions. This process was grounded in Indigenous governance systems and knowledge.
Following PrepCom 1, IITC convened additional open consultations across regions. These produced the following four concept notes to inform PrepCom 2 and support practical, rights affirming implementation under the BBNJ Agreement:
Annex I: Establishing distinct observer status for Indigenous Peoples in BBNJ rules of procedure
Annex II: Ways and means of ensuring full membership for Indigenous knowledge holders in BBNJ subsidiary bodies and establishing Indigenous advisory mechanisms
Annex III: Establishing a voluntary fund for Indigenous Peoples’ participation and enabling direct access to grant-based funding
Annex IV: Modalities for the participation of Indigenous Peoples in BBNJ reporting
IITC intends to submit the above as Conference Room Papers for PrepCom 2. We invite Member States and stakeholders to review and draw on them in proposals. IITC stands ready to brief delegations, provide suggested text on request, and support constructive solutions that uphold the rights, knowledge systems, and leadership of Indigenous Peoples under international law.
Thank you for your continued engagement and partnership.
Sincerely,
Andrea Carmen
Executive Director