Target 22: Inclusive participation

Generated: 2026-04-19T20:28:31Z

Landscape

Across 69 countries, Target 22 on inclusive participation achieves the highest saturation of any participation target in the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) set: 50 countries explicitly commit to it, 17 treat it as relevant, and none fall into the not-identified category. The dominant pattern within the explicitly-addresses group is a rights-based framing centred on indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs), free prior and informed consent (FPIC), and enumerated constituencies — women and girls, youth, persons with disabilities, and environmental human rights defenders — named as structural commitments rather than residual categories. A structural divide runs through the corpus: most Global South National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) anchor participation in international IPLC rights instruments — International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 169, the Escazú Agreement, the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples — while most European NBSAPs address participation through civic consultation law, including the Aarhus Convention and national planning acts, without invoking IPLC rights or group-specific equity provisions. Environmental human rights defenders appear as a distinct named sub-commitment in roughly a dozen NBSAPs, concentrated outside Europe, each with dedicated actions or budget lines. Countries frequently cite the NBSAP development process itself as evidence of inclusive participation: Afghanistan's consultation reached 669 participants across 27 of its 34 provinces, while Paraguay's update engaged 2,026 participants — 59% women — across 60 workshops including 13 dedicated sessions with indigenous communities.

Variation

Legal anchoring. Argentina's national target grounds participation simultaneously in the Escazú Agreement — committing to "guarantee access to information, participation and justice for all persons, groups and organisations, with special attention to those in vulnerable situations" — and in ILO Convention No. 169, committing to "guarantee the full, equitable, inclusive and effective participation and representation of indigenous peoples and local communities in decision-making, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources and traditional knowledge." This dual-instrument construction in a single national target is representative of the Latin American legal-anchoring approach. Norway's framing takes a different form: its NBSAP states that "the aim in protection processes is to reach agreement on all conservation proposals," framed as an element of the authorities' duty to accommodate continued Sámi culture under Section 108 of the Norwegian Constitution and Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights — a constitutional and treaty-based grounding rarely seen in European NBSAPs. The Republic of Congo names Law No. 5-2011 as its anchoring domestic statute on indigenous peoples' rights, with planned implementing texts as a measurable action.

Quantified versus directional commitments. Most NBSAPs express directional commitments — "ensure full participation," "strengthen inclusive governance" — without establishing national baselines or numeric targets. A smaller subset builds traceable monitoring structures. Cameroon documents that approximately 20–30% of NBSAP processes currently include documented IPLC participation and sets a target of at least 70% of processes with effective IPLC participation traceable via the National Biodiversity Information System. Indonesia's National Target 17 tracks provincial engagement on a staged timeline — 7 provinces at the 2020 baseline, rising to 25 by 2030 and 38 by 2045 — alongside a separate community-count indicator; Customary Forest designations totalling 108,576 hectares by 2022 provide the tenure vehicle underpinning community stewardship. Sudan's gender matrix establishes nested quotas for specific biodiversity domains: at least 10% IPLC representation in decision-making bodies, with women constituting at least 30% of those IPLC representatives.

Cross-cutting versus dedicated targets. Mexico's alignment analysis identifies Target 22 as receiving the highest direct contribution rate of any target in its national plan: 45% of all actions in the Estrategia Nacional sobre Biodiversidad de México (ENBioMex) — 70 of 160 total — contribute directly, with a further 22% in an enabling capacity, reflecting the horizontal character of participation across all strategic axes. Bhutan, by contrast, creates a standalone national target with a commitment to develop a standardised monitoring mechanism specifically for inclusive participation — treating participation not as a condition woven through other targets but as an object of governance in its own right.

Constituency scope. The near-universal core constituency is IPLCs alongside women or girls. Persons with disabilities are explicitly named in a narrower subset: Eritrea, Rwanda, Vanuatu, and Sudan each name disability inclusion in target text or action tables. Environmental human rights defenders appear as a named sub-commitment with dedicated actions or budget lines in Brazil, Lebanon, Malaysia, Madagascar, Sudan, and Thailand.

International versus domestic orientation. Denmark addresses Target 22 primarily through overseas development partnerships — DKK 18 million per year (Danish kroner) to the International Working Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA) on land rights in 2024–2027, and DKK 16 million per year to Forests of the World on indigenous peoples' self-determination — rather than domestic governance structures. Canada combines both dimensions: over 100,000 km² of Indigenous-led protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) have been established domestically, while a CAD $200 million commitment to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund supports Indigenous-led initiatives internationally.

Standouts

Paraguay's national target sets a coverage threshold not found elsewhere in the corpus. The NBSAP commits that "by 2030, 100% of conservation and sustainable use of species projects (implemented and/or approved by MADES) that directly or indirectly affect communities of indigenous peoples and local communities shall incorporate inclusive participation mechanisms, respecting their rights and traditional knowledge; integrating approaches to awareness-raising, education and participatory and inclusive management of biodiversity." No other country frames participation as a universal project-level requirement expressed as a percentage commitment.

Brazil's national target contains an intermediate deadline that advances the environmental-defenders sub-commitment ahead of the 2030 horizon. The target commits that "by 2025, ensure full protection for human rights and environmental defenders through the establishment and implementation of measures to make this protection effective" — one of the earliest deadlines in the NBSAP and distinct from the strategy's separate 2030 commitment on IPLC participation in biodiversity governance.

Afghanistan's action plan specifies a structural majority requirement rather than a representation target. By 2030, every protected area is to have "protected area committees with local people in the majority" — a formulation that positions local communities not as participants among others but as the numerical majority within governance bodies.

Argentina's national target illustrates the dual-instrument legal architecture characteristic of the Latin American subset. Within a single target, the NBSAP invokes the Escazú Agreement to "guarantee access to information, participation and justice for all persons, groups and organisations, with special attention to those in vulnerable situations, as well as ensure a safe and enabling environment for those who promote and defend the protection of biodiversity," and separately invokes ILO Convention No. 169 to "guarantee the full, equitable, inclusive and effective participation and representation of indigenous peoples and local communities in decision-making, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources and traditional knowledge, with a perspective of equity and intergenerationality."

Analysis

The 17 relevant-to countries are almost entirely European and share a systematic pattern: participation is addressed through civic consultation law — the Aarhus Convention, planning acts, public comment periods — without invoking IPLC rights, FPIC, or group-specific equity provisions. This divergence correlates with the absence of indigenous peoples as a recognised domestic governance constituency, and appears consistently across European NBSAPs regardless of how those same strategies approach other GBF targets.

FPIC functions as a diagnostic dividing line within the explicitly-addresses group. Countries that invoke it — Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Paraguay, Suriname, among others — share a rights-based framing that positions communities as rights-holders in decision processes. Countries that omit it tend toward capacity-building or awareness-raising framings of participation. The distinction is visible across all regional clusters and does not map cleanly onto income classification.

Measurability is uneven across the set. Paraguay's 100% coverage commitment, Cameroon's baseline-to-70%-target construction, and Indonesia's province-by-province staging table are among the few approaches that create verifiable 2030 benchmarks. Most NBSAPs reference GBF headline indicator 22.b without establishing national baselines, which creates structural data gaps for the comparative assessment at the 2030 reporting round.

Environmental human rights defenders have emerged as a standalone sub-commitment within Target 22, separate from the general IPLC participation framework. Brazil sets a 2025 deadline for defender protection measures — the earliest deadline in that NBSAP — while Lebanon budgets US$100,000 for dedicated legislation. Mexico's alignment analysis illustrates how far participation runs through some national action plans: with 45% of all ENBioMex actions contributing directly to Target 22, the target functions less as a standalone commitment than as a horizontal organising principle across the entire strategy, a structural role that may inform how parties frame participation obligations in the next reporting cycle.

Per-country detail

Ordered by classification (explicitly_addresses → relevant_to → not_identified) then alphabetically by country name.

Country	National Target	Summary
Afghanistan	Afghanistan will ensure the full, equitable, inclusive, effective representation and participation in decision-making by local communities, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge.	The NBSAP commits Afghanistan to ensuring the full, equitable, inclusive, effective representation and participation in decision-making by local communities, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge. Two actions are defined. Action 22.1 states that all protected areas will have protected area committees with local people in the majority (by 2030, MAIL responsible, with NEPA, NGOs, and INGOs as cooperators). The indicator is the proportion of protected areas having functional protected area committees with local people in the majority. Action 22.2 states that all OECMs will be developed with the full knowledge, cooperation, and agreement of local people (by 2030, MAIL responsible, with MAIL, NGOs, and INGOs as cooperators). The indicator is a report on development of OECMs detailing the inputs of local people. The NBSAP's protected area criteria include establishment in consultation with local communities as a requirement. Portfolio #2 emphasizes empowering local communities, promoting community financing and revenue sharing, and providing local employment and business opportunities.
Argentina	By virtue of adequate compliance with the Escazú Agreement (Acuerdo de Escazú), guarantee access to information, participation and justice for all persons, groups and organisations, with special attention to those in vulnerable situations, as well as ensure a safe and enabling environment for those who promote and defend the protection of biodiversity. Likewise, within the framework of the application of ILO Convention No. 169, guarantee the full, equitable, inclusive and effective participation and representation of indigenous peoples and local communities in decision-making, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources and traditional knowledge, with a perspective of equity and intergenerationality.	Two national targets address KMGBF Target 22. National Target 20 commits to adequate compliance with the Escazú Agreement, guaranteeing access to information, participation, and justice for all persons, groups, and organisations, with special attention to those in vulnerable situations, and ensuring a safe and enabling environment for those who promote and defend biodiversity protection. Within the framework of ILO Convention No. 169, it guarantees full, equitable, inclusive, and effective participation and representation of indigenous peoples and local communities in decision-making, respecting their cultures and rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge, with a perspective of equity and intergenerationality. National Target 21 ensures a comprehensive perspective in NBSAP implementation through an equitable approach in which all social groups have equal opportunities and capacity to contribute to the three CBD objectives. It calls for recognition of equality in terms of rights, access to lands and common natural assets, and full, equitable, meaningful, and informed participation and leadership at all levels of action, policy-making, and decision-making related to biodiversity, in accordance with National Law No. 27,499. The participatory process for the NBSAP itself demonstrates implementation: CONADIBIO comprises 20 governmental and 6 non-governmental organisation representatives, including indigenous peoples (6 representatives), NGOs (30), business chambers, trade unions, and professional associations. The 2023–2024 update involved 10 meetings within the Undersecretariat of Environment, 4 plenary meetings, 5 technical working groups, meetings with COFEMA, and consultations with indigenous peoples' organisations through INAI. The Genetic Resources Strengthening Plan includes dedicated liaison spaces for indigenous peoples on Nagoya Protocol implementation.
Australia		One of the three enablers of change in the NBSAP is to ensure equitable representation and participation in decisions relating to nature, particularly for First Nations peoples. This enabler is explicitly stated to align with GBF targets 22 and 23. The strategy commits to the full and equal participation, engagement, and leadership of communities, businesses, and individuals across diverse perspectives including age, gender, ability, location, ethnicity, and other backgrounds. First Nations peoples' culture, values, knowledge, innovations, and practices are to be valued and respected, and inform planning, management, and conservation of nature. Specific institutional mechanisms include the development of a National Environmental Standard for First Nations engagement and participation in decision-making, and a National Environmental Standard for community engagement and consultation, both as part of Australia's nature-positive law reforms. The Closing the Gap National Agreement target to enhance First Nations peoples' connection to Country is referenced, along with increased funding for Indigenous Protected Areas and the Indigenous Rangers Program. The strategy commits to co-designing policies and projects and forming genuine and equitable partnerships with First Nations peoples, with commitments to protecting Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property and Indigenous Ecological Knowledge. Progress measure 2E tracks the extent of public consultation on decision-making related to nature-focused policy, strategy, or regulatory matters.
Benin		The NBSAP addresses inclusive participation through multiple structural elements. The development process itself was inclusive, with participation from representatives of sectoral ministries, research institutes, the press, and resource persons. Regional workshops covering three zones (South, Centre, North) were organised in 2024 on national objectives, followed by a national validation workshop (§26). The theory of change recognises the roles and contributions of local communities as guardians of biodiversity and partners in conservation, including their rights. Their traditional knowledge, innovations, worldviews, values, and practices must be respected and preserved with free, prior, and informed consent (§64). The lessons learned require standardised traceability: categories of stakeholders, sex/age where relevant, territory, contribution, decision (retained/not retained) and justification. This is described as a prerequisite for meeting GBF reporting requirements (§12, lesson 6). The social safeguards section establishes three mandatory requirements for implementation: (1) traceable information and participation—any restrictive measure must be accompanied by documented consultation, explanation of rules, and information on remedies; (2) a functional complaints mechanism with local counter, processing deadlines, traceability, and annually published statistics; (3) measurable inclusion—participation of women and young people must be visible in governing bodies, benefits, jobs, and training, with disaggregated data (§135). The CBD Gender Plan of Action requirements are integrated, calling for disaggregated data collection, inclusive facilitation, conflict prevention, and local accountability (§100). Block 5 of the training plan covers gender-biodiversity indicators, disaggregated data, and inclusive facilitation (§106). The monitoring framework includes binary indicators on countries taking measures towards full, equitable, inclusive, effective and gender-responsive representation and participation by IPLCs, women, girls, children, young people, and persons with disabilities, and protection of environmental human rights defenders (§127).
Brazil	Implement and monitor, by 2030, public policies to ensure that Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities are guaranteed, through free, prior and informed consultation when relevant and with full respect for their territorial rights, as well as that women and girls, elders, children and youth, persons with disabilities, and people of all races and ethnicities, and across generations, enjoy: (i) full, equitable, inclusive and effective representation, leadership and participation in negotiation spaces, decision-making processes and sectoral governance bodies related to biodiversity; and (ii) access to justice, education and information on biodiversity. In addition, by 2025, ensure full protection for human rights and environmental defenders through the establishment and implementation of measures to make this protection effective.	The NBSAP establishes National Target 22, committing to implement and monitor by 2030 public policies ensuring that Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities are guaranteed free, prior, and informed consultation with full respect for their territorial rights, and that women and girls, elders, children and youth, persons with disabilities, and people of all races and ethnicities enjoy: (i) full, equitable, inclusive and effective representation, leadership, and participation in negotiation spaces, decision-making, and sectoral governance bodies related to biodiversity; and (ii) access to justice, education, and information on biodiversity. The target also requires that by 2025, full protection for human rights and environmental defenders is ensured through the establishment and implementation of effective measures. The NBSAP describes extensive participatory processes in its own development. The Guardians of Biodiversity Workshop (June 2024) brought together 131 participants including 51 Indigenous representatives, 45 participants from Traditional Peoples and Communities, and 24 family farmers. The MMA engaged approximately 200 institutions and more than 110 IPLC representatives in the overall consultation process. Institutional developments supporting this target include the creation of the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples (MPI) in January 2023 — the first ministry dedicated exclusively to Indigenous Peoples — and the establishment of the National Policy for Quilombola Territorial and Environmental Management (PNGTAQ) through Decree No. 11,786 of November 2023. COP16 resulted in the creation of a permanent Subsidiary Body on Articles 8(j) and 10(c) and recognition of Afro-descendant communities. Synergies are cited with SDGs 1.4, 5.5, 5.a, 10.2, 10.3, 16.3, 16.7, and 16.10.
Bhutan	By 2030, strengthen inclusive participation in biodiversity related decision-making processes	Bhutan's National Target 3 states: "By 2030, strengthen inclusive participation in biodiversity related decision-making processes," aligned with KMGBF Target 22. The rationale notes that while efforts have been made to engage stakeholders, the participation of women, youth, local peoples, and other underrepresented groups in biodiversity-related decision-making remains limited. The NBSAP development process itself involved regional consultations across all 20 Dzongkhags, including local governments, community-based organizations, monastic bodies, and private sector actors. One strategy with two actions is identified: developing a guideline for inclusive participation in biodiversity-related decision-making considering diverse genders and groups, and developing a standard mechanism to monitor inclusive participation in biodiversity-related decision-making. The scientific cooperation priorities also emphasize establishing partnerships among institutions and local communities for research, co-design, and implementation of biodiversity conservation initiatives.
Canada		Target 22 is described as horizontal, touching all targets in the 2030 Strategy. Indigenous Peoples hold constitutionally protected Treaty and Aboriginal Rights under Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 and the UN Declaration Act; the federal government aims to implement decisions guided by free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC). Over 100,000 km² of Indigenous-led protected areas and OECMs have been established in Canada. The 2030 Strategy supports the UN Declaration Act, its 46 articles, and Canada's UN Declaration Act Action Plan (2023-2028). Federal Indigenous-led conservation initiatives include Project Finance for Permanence, Indigenous Guardians programs, Indigenous-led Area-Based Conservation, the Enhanced Nature Legacy, and the Oceans Management Contribution Program. Indigenous partners contribute to Nature Agreements, including the Tripartite Framework Agreement between Canada, British Columbia, and the First Nations Leadership Council. Internationally, Canada's $200M commitment to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund supports Indigenous-led initiatives. Parks Canada is co-designing an Indigenous Stewardship Policy with the Indigenous Stewardship Circle. Canada launched the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls in 2016, the MMIWG National Action Plan, and the Federal Pathway to Address MMIWG and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People. IAAC is enhancing equitable consideration of Indigenous Knowledge in impact assessments. The Environment and Climate Change Youth Council advises the Minister. The Accessible Canada Act aims for a barrier-free Canada by 2040; PC's Accessibility Action Plan (2022-2025) addresses barriers in parks. GAC has published 'Voices at Risk' best practices for engaging Environmental Human Rights Defenders. Federal tools include the fairness and inclusion lens in the Quality of Life Framework, GBA Plus, SARA Section 11 Conservation Agreements, ECCC's Indigenous Science Division, the Nature Advisory Committee, PC's Indigenous Fire Circle, the Youth Impact Analysis, and Children's Rights Impact Assessment Tools. The government commits to working on a one-window strategic partnership approach for external partners including Indigenous Peoples, and to reviewing the CBD's Gender Plan of Action.
Democratic Republic of the Congo	By 2030, the full and effective participation of Indigenous Pygmy Peoples and local communities in decision-making processes on biodiversity is guaranteed through legal, policy and administrative measures implemented in relevant natural resource management sectors, with respect for their cultures, as well as the recognition and protection of their rights over their lands, territories, resources and knowledge.	Objective 22 commits the DRC to guaranteeing the full and effective participation of Indigenous Pygmy Peoples and local communities in biodiversity decision-making by 2030, through legal, policy and administrative measures implemented across natural resource management sectors. The objective requires respect for IPLC cultures and recognition and protection of their rights over lands, territories, resources and knowledge. The estimated budget is USD 20 million.
Republic of the Congo	Target 24/22: By 2030, at the latest, ensure the full, effective, complete, equitable and inclusive participation, taking gender into account and in particular women and girls, children and young people, as well as persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and local communities, in decision-making processes, as well as their access to justice and to biodiversity-related information, in respect of their cultures and their rights over their lands, territories, resources and traditional knowledge.	National Target 23/21 commits by 2030 to strengthen capacities, communication, awareness-raising, education, monitoring, research and knowledge management, access to the best available data, traditional innovations and practices of indigenous peoples and local communities, as well as their customary sustainable use, on the basis of free, prior and informed consent, with the full and effective participation of indigenous and local communities. National Target 24/22 commits by 2030 to ensure full, effective, equitable and inclusive participation — taking gender into account, and in particular women and girls, children and young people, persons with disabilities, IPLC — in decision-making processes, as well as their access to justice and to information relating to biodiversity, in respect of their cultures and their rights over their lands, territories, resources and traditional knowledge. Result A5O23R23 contains nine actions: integration into the civic education programme of issues relating to sustainable ecosystem management, peoples' rights and gender equality (2027); creation of a network of communicators and journalists for the dissemination of biodiversity information; capacity building of local communities and indigenous populations in the production of biodiversity-related information (2026); capacity building of officials from various ministries in research and mobilisation of multinational funds (2025); capacity building of CLPAs in the management of traditional knowledge on biodiversity (2028); strengthening the level of schooling of indigenous populations (2026); strengthening international cooperation and technology transfers in biodiversity (2026); and capacity building of religious representatives in communication on biodiversity (2025). Result A5O24R24 contains twelve actions: capacity-building workshops for national and local networks on the legal framework — Law No. 5-2011 and its implementing texts — for protecting indigenous population rights (2029); capacity building of CLPAs on legal texts (2029); integration of CLPAs, women, children, girls, young people, persons with disabilities, elders and traditional notabilities into all biodiversity decision-making spheres (2030); valorisation of endogenous knowledge (2030); support and capacity building of young people, women, indigenous peoples and other vulnerable groups in income-generating activities (2027); support and monitoring of socioeconomic activities of these groups (2026); adoption and dissemination of legal texts on traditional knowledge, innovations and practices (2027); development of implementing texts on the land rights of indigenous peoples (2028); capacity building of local communities and indigenous populations in the management and protection of traditional knowledge (2029); awareness-raising, education and training on biodiversity and ecosystem preservation (2026); development of alternative activities consistent with biodiversity preservation (2028); and encouragement of projects contributing to the implementation of the United Nations Decade on Afforestation and Reforestation (2026). Indicators include SDG 4.7.1 mainstreaming of global citizenship and sustainable development education; percentage of positions dedicated to indigenous peoples, women and other vulnerable groups in legislative, civil service and judicial bodies relative to national distribution; availability of implementing texts on IPLC land rights; proportion of the total agricultural population with ownership or guaranteed rights over agricultural land by sex and tenure type; number of young people, women, indigenous peoples and other vulnerable groups supported and monitored; and number of broadcasts of biodiversity-related programmes on national television. Law No. 5-2011 is identified as the anchoring domestic instrument on indigenous peoples. FPIC (CLIP) integration into all decision-making processes is also embedded in Target 3 actions (A1O3R3.10). Responsible bodies include ministries for the environment, forests, agriculture, planning, primary education, scientific research, justice, technical education, sustainable development, promotion of indigenous peoples, communication, culture, small and medium enterprises, land affairs and public domain, the promotion of women, social affairs, mining, hydrocarbons, education, youth, along with INS, CSOs, local authorities and the Ministry of the Interior.
Chile	V.38: By 2026, the design is completed and the implementation of the communication plan for the dissemination of the Strategy and its progress is initiated, oriented towards all actors in society, including indigenous peoples and local communities. V.39: By 2030, participation mechanisms with a gender perspective and consideration of indigenous peoples and local communities in conservation instruments and the sustainable use of biodiversity will have been diagnosed, implemented and reported where relevant, and parity in access to decision-making roles will have been ensured	The NBSAP addresses indigenous peoples and local communities through dedicated national targets, cross-cutting principles, and institutional commitments. National target V.38 commits to completing by 2026 the design and initiating the implementation of a communication plan for dissemination of the Strategy and its progress, oriented towards all actors in society including indigenous peoples and local communities. National target V.39 requires that by 2030 participation mechanisms with a gender perspective and consideration of indigenous peoples and local communities in conservation instruments and the sustainable use of biodiversity will have been diagnosed, implemented, and reported where relevant, with parity in access to decision-making roles ensured. Objective III frames the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities as custodians of the country's biocultural heritage. Chile ratified the Escazu Agreement in 2022, and free, prior, and informed consent is recognised through ILO Convention 169. Guiding principles reference access to information, participation, and transparency, as well as indigenous peoples and traditional knowledge within the concept of nature and its diverse values. COP 16's adoption of the Programme of Work on Article 8(j) relating to indigenous peoples is noted. Linked instruments include the Escazu Agreement, the Gender Action Plan 2015-2020, and the 4th National Plan for Equality.
Cameroon	Ensure equitable, inclusive, effective and vulnerable-persons-sensitive representation and participation of all stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities, in decision-making and implementation of the national strategy and action plan.	The NBSAP establishes Objective 22: "Ensure equitable, inclusive, effective and vulnerable-persons-sensitive representation and participation of all stakeholders, including indigenous peoples and local communities, in decision-making and implementation of the national strategy and action plan." The objective indicators include the percentage of IPLCs represented and effectively participating in decision-making bodies and in the implementation of the NBSAP. Action 22.1 calls for the establishment of inclusive governance mechanisms. Activity 22.1.1 requires the creation and operationalisation of a dedicated window for IPLC-related issues in the environmental information system (EIS). The indicator tracks the rate of IPLC participation in decision-making and implementation of the NBSAP. The baseline indicates approximately 20% to 30% of NBSAP processes include documented IPLC participation, with a target of at least 70% of processes with effective IPLC participation traceable via the National Biodiversity Information System. MINEPDED, MINAS, MINFOF, local government authorities, human rights institutions, and NGOs and IPLC representative organisations are identified as responsible institutions. Monitoring is annual via NBSAP implementation reports, with quarterly updates of participation indicators. Several policy frameworks underscore IPLC participation. The Forestry and Wildlife Sub-sector Strategy 2020 stresses the involvement of IPLCs in community-based resource management, forests, hunting zones and ecotourism. The National Reforestation and Restoration Programme valorises the participation of IPLCs and local authorities in landscape restoration and natural resource protection through community forests, village nurseries, private plantations and reforestation perimeters. The National Communication and Awareness-Raising Plan gives particular importance to the valorisation of indigenous knowledge, documentation of traditional sustainable management practices, and involvement of local communities in message development and dissemination. The implementation mechanisms chapter references inclusive participation, integration of indigenous knowledge, and transparency and accountability as recognised monitoring-evaluation principles. Under Objective 15, Activity 15.1.3 calls for developing a specific legal text on the rights of local and indigenous populations relating to biodiversity in national policies, plans and programmes, targeting at least 10 key protection measures incorporated.
Colombia		Inclusive participation is structured through the 191 national-level actions of the Action Plan, of which 79% is to be executed through the differential pathway, cross-sectoral leadership and particular leadership of each government entity. Within the differential pathway for Indigenous and Afro-descendant communities, actions were prioritised for Targets 19, 21, 22 and 23; within the differential pathway for women, youth and environmental civil society organisations, actions were prioritised for Targets 22 and 23. Formal participation structures include the Fifth Commission of the National Prior Consultation Space for Black, Afro-Colombian, Raizal and Palenquero Communities (Comisión Quinta del Espacio Nacional de consulta previa), the MPC (Mesa Permanente de Concertación) and MRA. A prior consultation for Afro-descendant communities is documented as part of the action agreement process. Existing indicator coverage includes the Sinap indicator on percentage of improvement in the governance index for protected-area management, and Conpes 3934, 4021, 4040 and 4050 indicators on: consolidation of the transparency and participation mechanism; action plans to improve coverage of compensation mechanisms for protected-area inhabitants; progress in consolidating participatory community forest monitoring; implementation of the strategy for strengthening youth participation in environmental management; implementation of the community forestry programme; progress in harmonising territorial management approaches through agreements in public protected areas among strategic actors (local communities, peasant communities and ethnic groups considering their legal regime); studies on benefits generated by protected-area inhabitants; differential-approach planning instruments; and technical assistance to youth-led productive initiatives in green businesses meeting 51% of green-business criteria. The proposed CICCyB governance includes a Special Advisory Committee from Non-State Actors composed in a mixed manner by representatives of governmental and academic institutions, NGOs and Indigenous Peoples, Black, Afro-descendant, Raizal, Palenquero, Roma, Peasant, Women and Youth communities, and a Regional Articulation Committee to structure two-way flows between national and territorial bodies. Voices from the territories under National Target 6 call for direct financing without intermediation for Indigenous Peoples, Black communities, Peasant communities and territorial entities of the Amazon; technical and financial support for ethnic and peasant communities formulating their own instruments for territorial planning and management; and simple procedures so that community and ethnic groups can access financing in a differentiated manner with a gender and intergenerational approach. The monitoring chapter commits to information sovereignty and to Indigenous territories as an official reporting category for conserved areas.
Denmark		The NBSAP addresses inclusive participation primarily through international development cooperation targeting indigenous peoples' rights. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has entered into a partnership agreement with IWGIA (International Working Group for Indigenous Affairs), providing DKK 18 million per year in 2024-2027, focusing on land rights and territorial administration, indigenous women and girls, and global governance. IWGIA works on the negative effects of climate change and biodiversity degradation on indigenous peoples, and supports the recognition of indigenous peoples as rights holders and key players in environmental management. The KMGBF is described as an opportunity for change at local and national level. The Strategic Partnership Agreement with Forests of the World (DKK 16 million/year in 2022-2025) centres on indigenous peoples' rights, self-determination, and cultural self-identification, focusing on the pressure that deforestation puts on residential areas of indigenous peoples, long-term partnerships, and access to forest monitoring systems. The work includes inclusion of young people and women. The EU Deforestation Regulation requires that production has been carried out in compliance with relevant legislation in the country of origin, and that environmental laws, human rights, and the rights of indigenous peoples are respected. Support for the CBD secretariat (DKK 14 million, 2023-2026) includes capacity building among indigenous peoples. The Annex 2 overview links several international initiatives to Target 22, including IUCN, CBD secretariat support, the international forestry initiative, IDH, and the sustainable soy cooperation.
Egypt		The NBSAP integrates local-community participation throughout its implementation framework. Local communities, including women and youth, are to be involved in decision-making processes for nature reserve management, with sustainable economic alternatives provided such as ecotourism and sustainable agriculture. Section 92 specifies joint management and governance, empowerment of women in conservation work, and OECM models. Section 45 proposes engaging local communities living near gazelle habitats through economic incentives including ecotourism. The participation of local communities in monitoring is to be strengthened through civil-society initiatives or environmental-participation programmes, with training and support for rural communities. Chapter-length treatment in the conclusion emphasises local-community roles in protecting threatened species and rare plants through daily coexistence and early detection of invasive species and pollution; ecotourism contributions via ecological guides, traditional handmade products, and eco-accommodation; and intergenerational environmental-knowledge transfer. Challenges identified include climate change, economic pressures driving unsustainable resource use, and lack of technical or financial support. Proposed solutions include community empowerment, involvement in decision-making, and cooperation with environmental organisations. The participation of local communities and women's empowerment must be regularly evaluated through surveys and periodic reports. Annex 4 reproduces KMGBF Target 22 on full, equitable, inclusive, gender-responsive representation and participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, women, girls, children, youth, and persons with disabilities, and protection of environmental human-rights defenders.
Eritrea	Target 12: By 2030, the involvement and participation of local communities, women, girls and disabled persons in the management of agricultural, terrestrial and marine biodiversity is promoted and encouraged through community-led, gender-inclusive approaches, ensuring that the right of local communities over land and resources is duly acknowledged and respected.	Eritrea's National Target 12 commits to promoting and encouraging the involvement and participation of local communities, women, girls, and disabled persons in the management of agricultural, terrestrial, and marine biodiversity by 2030, through community-led, gender-inclusive approaches. The total budget is USD 490,000. The NBSAP acknowledges that local communities, especially women, are the main users of ecological resources and develop cultural and holistic understanding of nature through daily interactions. It notes that customary sustainable use practices exist but are under pressure from abandonment of traditional rules, community values, and practices. The NBSAP states that the inclusion of women and girls "must go beyond their mere participation in soil/water conservation and tree planting" — they "must have a say in all matters relating to ecosystem and biodiversity management." The action plan includes fostering collective responsibility through community engagement (Action 12.1.1), empowering local committees such as Watershed Committees (Action 12.1.2), supporting community biodiversity projects (Action 12.1.3, USD 200,000), ensuring participation of women in biodiversity decision-making (Action 12.1.4), ensuring youth participation (Action 12.1.5), creating Kebabi (village-level) Biodiversity/Environmental Committees (Action 12.2.1, 2027-2029, USD 130,000), creating Community Social Forums including Youth and Women Biodiversity Forums (Action 12.2.2), and ensuring membership of women, girls, and disabled persons in Watershed Committees (Action 12.3.3). The National Union of Eritrean Women (NUEW) and National Union of Eritrean Youth and Students (NUEYS) are named as implementing institutions across multiple targets. The NUEW distributes organic fertilizers to vulnerable women farmers and has been active in disseminating improved stoves, with local women trained to construct stoves in their localities.
Gabon	Ensure participation in decision-making and access to justice and information relating to biodiversity for all	Gabon's National Target 22 aims to ensure participation in decision-making and access to justice and information relating to biodiversity for all. The strategic actions are to involve local communities in the framework of project implementation monitoring, and to involve and empower decentralised administrations and NGOs in dissemination. The key indicator is at least 2 annual missions. MEEC is the responsible stakeholder. Inclusive participation is embedded throughout the NBSAP. The guiding principles explicitly guarantee the participation of local communities, women, and young people in biodiversity conservation and benefit-sharing, as well as in all stages of planning and implementation. The National Commission on Biodiversity Management is designed as a multi-stakeholder platform including representatives of government administrations, national NGOs, indigenous and local communities, and academic institutions. The NBSAP was itself developed through an inclusive consultation engaging all stakeholders in Gabonese society, including NGOs, youth associations, women's associations, indigenous peoples, and local communities. The technical committee includes a representative of the Association for the Development of Pygmy Peoples' Culture of Gabon and a youth representative from the NGO Sustainable Development and Well-Being. On the ground, community involvement features in mangrove restoration (local management committees, training in techniques), forest certification (respect for rights of local communities, traceability), and fisheries management (delineated artisanal fishing zones reserved for local communities).
United Kingdom	The UK will ensure the full, equitable, inclusive, effective and genderresponsive representation and participation in decision making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity by indigenous peoples and local communities, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge, as well as by women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities and ensure the full protection of environmental human rights defenders.	The NBSAP sets UK target 22, committing to ensure the full, equitable, inclusive, effective and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision-making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity. The target names specific groups: indigenous peoples and local communities (respecting their cultures and rights over lands, territories, resources and traditional knowledge), women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities. It also commits to ensuring the full protection of environmental human rights defenders. A footnote reiterates the UK's position on indigenous peoples under the CBD.
Equatorial Guinea	By 2030, implement national policies that effectively promote a gender perspective and youth inclusion in the processes of implementation and decision-making on community activities oriented towards biodiversity protection, guaranteeing respect for the rights, cultures and traditional knowledge of local communities.	Two ENPADIB national targets address global Target 22. National Target 21 commits, by 2030, to strengthen the leadership of women and girls, guaranteeing their full, effective and gender-responsive participation at all levels of decision-making and public policy formulation for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use (alignment MEDIUM). National Target 22 commits, by 2030, to implement national policies that effectively promote a gender perspective and youth inclusion in community activities oriented towards biodiversity protection, guaranteeing respect for the rights, cultures and traditional knowledge of local communities (alignment MEDIUM). Implementation conditions include integration of local and traditional knowledge in public policies and environmental planning; explicit incorporation of the gender and youth focus in national environmental legislation; and creation of inter-institutional coordination mechanisms and permanent community dialogue platforms. A budget line of USD 5,000,000 is attached in §248 for incorporating gender and youth focus into environmental legislation. Responsible bodies include MINASIG, MAGBPMA, the Ministry of Planning and Economic Diversification, and NGOs. A dedicated Gender Action Plan (§154 onwards) is part of the third part of the ENPADIB.
Indonesia	National Target 17 (TN 17): Inclusive participation and representation of communities in biodiversity management.	Strategy 3.2 and National Target 17 (TN 17): Inclusive Participation and Representation of Communities in Biodiversity Management cover KMGBF Target 22. The NBSAP recognises local and traditional (adat) communities, women, youth and persons with disabilities as essential participants. By 2022, Customary Forests covered 108,576 hectares, and KKP had inventoried 35 Customary Law Communities (MHA) over 2016-2021, facilitating capacity-building for 70 percent in marine and coastal area management. TN 17 is measured by two indicators: number of provincial governments that have engaged customary and local communities, women, youth and persons with disabilities in biodiversity management (baseline 7 in 2020; 13 in 2023; 19 in 2025; 25 in 2030; 38 in 2045) and number of customary and local communities involved in participatory biodiversity management in forests, inland waters, coastal and small island areas (baseline 695 in 2020; 718 in 2023; 728 in 2025; 738 in 2030; 768 in 2045). TN 17 is delivered through five action groups: enhancing participation of customary and local communities; enhancing participation of women, youth and persons with disabilities; and establishing platforms and mechanisms for these groups to access information and participate. The Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) Indonesian Chapter is cited as an existing youth mechanism. Complementary elements include Action 1.5 under TN 1 (planning of traditional, customary and local community areas as protected functions in spatial planning) and Action 3.4 under TN 3 (community-management areas under traditional, customary and local community governance as contributions to biodiversity conservation consistent with OECM). International financing hooks include the GBFF allocation of 20 percent of the portfolio for indigenous and local community initiatives by 2030. Lead entities are the Ministry of Women's Empowerment and Child Protection (Kemen PPPA), Bappenas, KLH/BPLH, Kemenhut, KKP, Kemendagri, ATR/BPN, Kemenkomdigi, Kementan and local governments.
India	Ensure the full, equitable, inclusive, effective and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision-making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity by all genders and youth, indigenous peoples and local communities (LCs).	India's NBSAP commits to ensuring full, equitable, inclusive, effective, and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision-making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity by all genders, youth, indigenous peoples and local communities. The headline indicator references the number of countries taking action toward inclusive, effective, and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision-making, respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities over their lands, territories, traditional knowledge, and resources (22.b), with component indicators on the proportion of total adult population with secure tenure rights to land and their rights documentation. Three national indicators are tracked: number of capacity development and awareness programmes organised (22.1); trends in number of operationalised Panchayati Raj Institutions, BMCs, Joint Forest Management Committees, Ecodevelopment Committees, and Community Forest Resource Management Committees (22.2); and trends in the number of civil society organisations and NGOs working in biodiversity conservation (22.3). Lead agencies include ICFRE, National Biodiversity Authority, State Biodiversity Boards, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, NIRDPR, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, and Autonomous Tribal District Councils.
Iran	Ensure equitable representation and participation of women and girls in decision-making, access to justice, and information related to biodiversity for all people, including villagers, pastoralists, and nomadic tribes. Respect their cultures and rights over their resources and traditional knowledge, as well as by children and youth, in accordance with IR Iran legislation.	A sub-target following NT-21 commits to ensuring equitable representation and participation of women and girls in decision-making, access to justice, and information related to biodiversity for all people, including villagers, pastoralists, and nomadic tribes, and respecting their cultures and rights over their resources and traditional knowledge, as well as by children and youth, in accordance with Iranian legislation. The theme of inclusive participation, particularly of villagers, pastoralists, and nomadic tribes, pervades the entire NBSAP. NT-1 includes 26 actions that repeatedly reference participatory approaches, co-management governance models, empowering herders, hunters, and local beneficiary groups, and building capacity among local stakeholders. NT-3 calls for community-based approaches to expand protected areas with local involvement in identification, governance, and management. The NT-3 actions section emphasises local communities' role in sustainably managing wild species, community-based monitoring systems, and integration of traditional knowledge. NT-8's climate actions specify addressing specific vulnerabilities of women and girls and developing indicators with local participation.
Japan — National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2023–2030		The NBSAP addresses inclusive participation through multiple statutory and administrative mechanisms. The Act on Promotion of Nature Restoration establishes regional councils (including local governments, NGOs, experts, residents, and businesses) that lead Nature Restoration Overall Plans. The Act on the Promotion of Activities for Biodiversity Conservation through Cooperation among Regional Diversified Actors (Regional Cooperation Act) supports regional action plans developed collaboratively; the number of regional action plans is committed to grow from 16 (Sep. 2022) to 32 by FY2030, and Support Centres for Regional Cooperation on Biodiversity Conservation to grow from 19 to 27. National Park management councils and Nature Restoration councils provide formal participation avenues. The Ainu Policy Promotion Act recognises the Ainu as the Indigenous people of Hokkaido and provides a framework for their participation in biodiversity-related activities including salmon customary use. Stakeholder participation in wildlife management is institutionalised through prefectural Designated Wildlife Management Programs. Environmental Partnership Offices, coordinated by MOE, facilitate multi-stakeholder collaboration nationwide.
Lebanon	NT 25: Ensure the full, equitable, inclusive, effective and gender responsive representation and participation in decision-making, as well as access to justice and information related to biodiversity, by local communities–while respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge. This also includes women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities, and ensures the full protection of environmental human rights defenders.	National Target 25 commits Lebanon to ensure the full, equitable, inclusive, effective and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision-making, as well as access to justice and information related to biodiversity, by local communities, while respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources and traditional knowledge. The target expressly includes women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities, and ensures the full protection of environmental human rights defenders. Progress is tracked through Headline Indicator 22.b, a percentage indicator on gender representation in national and subnational decision-making bodies, and a descriptive indicator measuring the satisfaction of marginalised groups regarding the inclusion of their needs in biodiversity-related decisions (collected through surveys). National Actions commit to developing and enforcing legislation to protect the rights of environmental human rights defenders (NA 25.1, 2026–2027, US$100,000); designing awareness campaigns highlighting equal contributions of men and women in biodiversity conservation, focusing on women in local councils and CBOs (NA 25.2, 2026–2028, US$100,000); ensuring inclusion of the needs of local communities, women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities in biodiversity decision-making at governmental and local-authority levels (NA 25.3, 2026–2029, US$200,000); integrating environmental and biodiversity targets into local development action plans and strategies in line with national and regional master plans (NA 25.4, 2027–2029, US$200,000); integrating gender considerations into policies, strategies and plans (NA 25.5, 2026–2028, US$50,000); and developing with the National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW) a biodiversity-focused gender action plan to promote gender-sensitive cross-ministerial collaboration (NA 25.6, 2027–2028, US$50,000). Participation is also built into Protected Areas (NA 3.4 local rights and knowledge in PA/OECM classification) and Wild Species Use (NT 6 respecting customary sustainable use).
Lesotho	By 2030, Lesotho shall ensure gender equality in the implementation of the NBSAP through gender responsive approach where all have equal opportunity and capacity to contribute to biodiversity programmes, particularly women, girls and marginalised groups	The NBSAP III embeds inclusive participation across its structure. National Target 19 commits Lesotho to ensuring gender equality in NBSAP implementation through a gender-responsive approach where all have equal opportunity and capacity to contribute, particularly women, girls and marginalised groups. Indicators include land-use change and land tenure in traditional community territories, and policies to manage wild species sustainably with customary sustainable use protections. Throughout the action plans, Youth and Women-led Groups, Human Rights Groups, Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), and Community Conservation Forums (CCFs) are consistently named as supporting institutions. Strategic Initiative 7.4 specifically includes establishing community-based organisations on environmental management and biodiversity conservation with outputs including strengthened participation and inclusion of marginalised gender groups (youth, women and people living with disabilities) and legally registered CBOs (USD 992,352, 2026/2030). The NBSAP development process itself demonstrates inclusive participation: the Foreword notes it was developed through consultations with government, civil society, academia, private sector, and local communities. The Steering Committee includes representatives from multiple ministries and departments, the National University of Lesotho, the Serumula Development Association, and LHDA. A Stakeholder Engagement Plan (Annex 4) has been prepared. The ABS target (NT12) specifically includes training marginalised groups and obtaining prior informed consent.
Libya	By 2030, ensure equitable and effective participation in biodiversity decision-making by communities and the most vulnerable, as well as women, girls and youth.	The NBSAP directly addresses inclusive participation through national Target 20 with a USD 3 million budget. The target commits to ensuring equitable and effective participation in biodiversity decision-making by communities and the most vulnerable, as well as women, girls, and youth by 2030. Five priorities are specified: developing regulatory decisions to ensure that the most vulnerable groups, women, and youth have access to the right to own and dispose of biological resources; increasing and promoting the meaningful, informed, and effective participation and leadership of women and youth at all levels of biodiversity-related decision-making; developing gender-specific guidelines for biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and benefit-sharing; implementing capacity-building programmes for women and youth to develop technical skills and income-generating activities related to biodiversity; and establishing coordination mechanisms between women's and youth organisations/networks and ministries responsible for gender and environment.
Madagascar	By 2030, the participation of all in decision-making and access to justice and information relating to biodiversity are ensured.	The NBSAP commits that by 2030, the participation of all in decision-making and access to justice and information relating to biodiversity are ensured. Estimated financial needs amount to USD 5,317,370 (6.59% of Programme 3), allocated as: governance, justice and protection of human rights related to biodiversity (USD 2,576,540); promotion of equitable participation and access to information on biodiversity (USD 2,293,424); and sustainable financing for governance and environmental justice (USD 447,406). The first cost category strengthens the legal and institutional framework to protect environmental defenders, guarantee access to environmental justice and the fight against corruption, secure land rights and traditional knowledge of local communities, and ensure integration of traditional knowledge in biodiversity management. The second category ensures inclusive and equitable participation of marginalised groups (women, young people, vulnerable persons) in decision-making, improves access to information and knowledge on biodiversity and associated rights, and integrates these issues into education and training of civil servants and community leaders. The third category ensures the sustainability of governance, participation and environmental-defender-protection mechanisms through integration into public budgets, monitoring of disbursements and mobilisation of innovative funding (PPPs, compensation, private sector). The NBSAP references the GELOSE law (loi GELOSE — Gestion Locale Sécurisée) and Bio-Cultural Protocols as existing instruments illustrating the participatory approach. Technical capacity building equips institutional and community stakeholders and young leaders with skills to understand and apply biodiversity rights (including protection of environmental defenders) and participate in decision-making (mediation, community communication). Financing integrates dedicated budget lines into sectoral plans and combines innovative funding sources to reduce dependence on political cycles or external aid.
Marshall Islands		Sub-target 3.22 calls for equitable, accessible, and all-inclusive representation and participation in decision-making for biodiversity conservation and/or mitigation, delivered through Reimaanlok Steps 1–5 at the local level. Headline indicator 22.1 (Land Use and Tenure) tracks land-use change and land tenure in the traditional territories of local communities, measuring the proportion of lands held or used by local communities with legal recognition or perceived security of tenure. RMI EPA and CHPO are data leads. The indicator may be adapted to reflect the RMI's focus on local communities rather than the broader IPLC framing. Binary indicator 22.B (Inclusive Participation) tracks frameworks ensuring full, equitable, gender-responsive participation and access to justice and information related to biodiversity. Participation is structurally embedded through the Reimaanlok process, which is inherently community-led: local communities develop locally-led resource management plans recognized under national law. Section 2.3.4 presents actions reflecting input received from local communities during whole-of-society NBSAP consultations. Sub-target 3.22 is referenced by nearly every NBSAP action alongside 3.21, indicating a systematic whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach. Appendix D provides contextual analysis of customary matrilineal land tenure, gender relations, and diverse value systems in the RMI, to be read in conjunction with this target's implementation.
Mauritania — National Biodiversity Strategy 2022–2030		The NBSAP was developed through a participatory process involving multi-stakeholder consultations in all 15 Wilayas of Mauritania with more than 270 local stakeholders. The lessons-learnt section recommends strengthening the involvement of local communities and stakeholders in biodiversity conservation, extending scope beyond specialising entities and taking into account budgetary and material constraints through participatory management and consultation processes. It also calls for strengthening the gender integration dimension. Multiple actions are tagged to GBF Target 22: regional multi-sectoral committees in each Wilaya (A.1.2), sustainable resource management actions (B.3.1–B.3.3), training for government officials and local practitioners (C.2.2, C.2.3), and all Axis E data actions (E.1.1–E.3.2). The review of the 2011-2020 strategy notes that participatory management of parks and local community engagement fostered the establishment of a biodiversity culture. However, the strategy does not include specific measures for indigenous peoples, youth, or other marginalised groups as distinct categories beyond the broader participatory framework.
Mexico — Estrategia Nacional de Biodiversidad de México (ENBioMex)		The alignment analysis identifies Target 22 as having the most direct contributions of any target, with 45% of ENBioMex actions (70 actions in total) contributing directly and 22% in an enabling capacity. Axes 5 (Education), 6 (Integration and governance), and 2 (Conservation and restoration) contribute the most. The conclusions note that 67% of ENBioMex actions contribute overall — the fourth-highest share — explained by the cross-cutting nature of this target, which involves the participation of key actors such as indigenous peoples, local communities, youth, women, and children. The Context section describes the development of the ENBioMex itself as a milestone of inclusive participation, with more than 370 experts from all sectors participating, incorporating a gender perspective. The strategy has promoted subnational biodiversity strategies since 2002. Specific action lines with direct contributions span all six axes, including traditional knowledge (1.2.1), traditional management practices (1.2.2), citizen science programmes (1.3.1–1.3.4), traditional practices for conservation (2.1.14), social and private sector participation (2.1.11), citizen participation (4.3.2, 5.2.3), inclusive environmental education (5.1.12), citizen participation mechanisms (6.3.2), citizen observation mechanisms (6.3.3), citizen complaint mechanisms (6.3.4), local and regional coordination (6.3.5), self-management capacities (6.3.7), and local initiatives for biodiversity (6.2.8).
Malaysia	By 2030, the roles of indigenous peoples and local communities, civil society, the private sector, and academia in biodiversity conservation have been significantly strengthened	Malaysia's NPBD Target 2 commits that "by 2030, the roles of indigenous peoples and local communities, civil society, the private sector, and academia in biodiversity conservation have been significantly strengthened." The policy recognises IPLCs as stewards of nature with intricate knowledge of biodiversity, and the Common Vision of the Policy states that the role of IPLCs in the conservation, management, and utilisation of biodiversity shall be recognised and their rightful share of benefits shall be ensured. Action 2.1 (empower and support IPLCs) commits to review relevant legislation, procedures, and policies to empower IPLCs across all genders to contribute to biodiversity management and conservation; develop smart partnership arrangements that facilitate the involvement of IPLCs including women and children; and enhance capacity building to enable IPLCs to play more effective roles, especially with regard to the recognition of basic human and land-tenure rights. Action 2.2 (long-term partnerships with civil society) commits to increase avenues for CSOs to partner with other stakeholders and to protect their rights as environmental defenders. Action 2.4 (enhance stakeholder participation in decision-making) commits to strengthen the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) process in projects that affect IPLCs. Action 14.2 commits to document and protect the traditional knowledge, innovations, and practices of IPLCs; recognise and support customary laws and community protocols; and integrate traditional knowledge into the National CHM. The Key Indicator for Action 2.1 is that by 2030, policies to empower IPLCs have been developed and implemented. Target 9's Key Indicator specifies that by 2030, the number of IPLCs actively participating in tourism development has increased by 30% compared to 2024 levels. The lead for Target 2 is the Ministry in charge of biodiversity and forestry; partners include JAKOA, DWNP, JPSM, state agencies in charge of biodiversity and IPLCs, MBC, IPTA/IPTS, CSOs/NGOs, and the private sector.
Nigeria	By 2020, community participation in project design and management of key ecosystems is enhanced in one (1) each of the six (6) ecological zones.	National Goal 5 commits to making stakeholder participation in biodiversity management a major priority, involving communities, government agencies, state and local governments, private groups, corporate businesses, civil society organizations, and the media at varied levels. National Target 12 states: "By 2020, community participation in project design and management of key ecosystems is enhanced in one (1) each of the six (6) ecological zones." Actions include strengthening the capacity of local communities to participate in natural regeneration of wetlands, vegetation, forests, mangroves, and other priorities identified in Targets 3, 4, 5, and 6 (Action 12.1, Local Communities, 2015–2020); surveying flora and fauna in detected areas including sacred groves, community lands, abandoned farmlands, and dislocated homesteads for community-based sustainable management (Action 12.2, FDF, 2015–2020); strengthening guidelines for community-based sustainable forestry including conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity (Action 12.3, FDF, 2015–2020); and developing a national framework and mechanism for community participation in tourism planning and ecotourism development (Action 12.4, NPS, 2015–2020). The monitoring matrix targets at least 20 NBSAP projects with community participation by 2020. The NBSAP revision process itself is described as participatory: relevant ministries, NGOs, CSOs, academia, oil companies, state governments, and development partners (ECOWAS, World Bank, UNDP, FAO) were involved. A council memorandum on sub-national BSAPs was adopted at the ninth meeting of the National Council on Environment. The communication plan identifies specific stakeholder engagement for civil society organizations, CBOs, schools, faith-based organizations, and mass media, with mechanisms including town hall meetings, school essay competitions, conferences, seminars, and workshops. Indigenous and local community participation is specified at the grassroots level through sub-national strategies.
Norway		The Sami Parliament has raised several topics affecting the establishment and management of protected areas; consultations are always held or offered to the Sami Parliament or representatives of Sami interests in protection processes that affect them. The aim in protection processes is to reach agreement on all conservation proposals, seen as an element in fulfilling the authorities' duty to accommodate continued Sami culture in line with Section 108 of the Norwegian Constitution and Article 27 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In the majority of older and all new protected areas with Sami use, the natural basis for Sami use forms part of the purpose of protection; Sami use consistent with safeguarding protected values can continue, with some activities potentially subject to regulation. The Ministry will draw up guidelines for how to consider matters where Sami interests are affected in protected areas, and will offer the Sami Parliament and the Sami Reindeer Herders' Association of Norway the opportunity to participate in a consultation round on those guidelines. Sami reindeer husbandry is supported through the Reindeer Agreement. In spatial planning, local and regional authorities must consult affected Sami stakeholders when planning affects Sami reindeer husbandry areas. The environmental assessment regulations under the Planning and Building Act require consultation processes for affected stakeholders and the general public on planning proposals, applications and programmes. Internationally, through NICFI, Norway works to strengthen the land rights and role of Indigenous Peoples in forest management, protect environmental defenders, and increase the proportion of funding allocated directly to Indigenous Peoples and civil society organisations. The briefing does not include dedicated content on youth participation, women's rights, or gender-disaggregated access to justice.
Panama		The NBSAP explicitly names the groups whose participation it seeks to ensure: women, children, youth, indigenous peoples, Afro-descendants, rural and coastal communities, older persons, persons with disabilities, entrepreneurs, business owners, investors, academics and activists. The Nature Pledge declares that "no one can be left behind" and frames climate justice as "an ethical and political mandate." The national biodiversity targets were developed through participatory workshops during 2024 under the GBF-EAS project. The LDN targets are described as gender-sensitive. Through the Regional Climate and Nature Observatories, the strategy commits to including children, adolescents and youth in the design of solutions. The governance structure positions Watershed Committees and Rural Aqueduct Management Boards (JAAR) as mechanisms for community-level participation. The Office of the Environment of Indigenous Peoples is identified in the institutional structure of MiAMBIENTE.
State of Palestine		The NBSAP frames inclusive participation across youth, women, traditional-knowledge holders and local communities. Youth engagement (Section 2.10) cites EQA (2020) actions including environmental clubs and curricular integration, and references the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN). The NBSAP process itself involved over 400 stakeholders subscribed to a dedicated mailing list ([email protected]), weekly thematic workshops, and focus-group meetings; over 400 initial action points were narrowed to 76 priority action points under 17 targets. The PIBS is part of the ICCA Consortium, actively involved in the UN CBD process and Post-2020 Framework negotiations. The strategy emphasises Palestinians as the indigenous people of Palestine and recognises that, in line with the Nagoya Protocol, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities must have access and benefit sharing. The new cultural heritage law (2018) regulates and protects tangible and intangible cultural heritage in line with CBD Article 8(j). Gender recommendations call for women's empowerment as critical for biodiversity conservation, engagement of women in environmental restoration initiatives, and revisiting the 2013 Ministry of Women's Affairs–EQA Agreement. Goal D Action 16.8 commits to developing NGOs and introducing branches in poorly served areas. Bedouin communities and Gaza fishers are highlighted as marginalised groups facing particular pressures.
Paraguay	By 2030, 100% of conservation and sustainable use of species projects (implemented and/or approved by MADES) that directly or indirectly affect communities of indigenous peoples and local communities shall incorporate inclusive participation mechanisms, respecting their rights and traditional knowledge; integrating approaches to awareness-raising, education and participatory and inclusive management of biodiversity.	The NBSAP adopts 'inclusive participation with a rights-based approach' as a guiding principle, recognising the role of local communities, indigenous peoples, women and young people. National Target 15 commits that by 2030, 100% of conservation and sustainable use of species projects implemented or approved by MADES that directly or indirectly affect indigenous peoples and local communities shall incorporate inclusive participation mechanisms and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (Consulta y Consentimiento Libre, Previo e Informado, CCLPI) processes, respecting their rights and traditional knowledge. National Target 27 guarantees public and effective access to biodiversity data for indigenous peoples and local communities through a dedicated strategy (see Target 21). The NBSAP update process itself ran April 2024 to November 2025 with 2,026 participants (59% women, 41% men), 60 workshops, 33 sectoral workshops, 13 indigenous workshops and 14 youth workshops (396 young people, 70% young women). The Global Youth Biodiversity Network — Paraguay (GYBN Paraguay), active since 2019, led the First National Consultation on Biodiversity (2021) and the 2024 'Priorities of Paraguayan Youth on Biodiversity' document built through 6 workshops in 8 departments with 191 young people; the 2025 'Youth for the Future of Biodiversity: Advocacy from the Territory' project engaged 200 young people (62.14% aged 18–23, 66% women). The National Plan for Indigenous Peoples (PNPI) 2020–2030 was approved by Decree 5897/2021, bringing together strategic pillars for collective rights, territory protection, intercultural education, indigenous economy and FPIC. Future actions proposed include establishing a National Biodiversity Commission with participation of local communities and indigenous peoples, and implementing the PNPI. Target 22 is expressly referenced in youth-related content, including CBD Decision 11/8.
Rwanda	By 2030, ensure that all stakeholders, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, can participate in biodiversity-related decision-making processes and information respecting traditional knowledge.	The NBSAP sets National Target 22 to ensure that all stakeholders, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, can participate in biodiversity-related decision-making processes and information, respecting traditional knowledge, by 2030. Component indicators track the proportion of stakeholders participating in decision-making by sex and age groups. The baseline notes that while activities related to this target exist, there is no consolidated baseline data. The NBSAP identifies gender, youth, and climate change as cross-cutting themes throughout the strategy. Strategic actions include establishing baseline information on gender inclusion, engaging women, youth, and persons with disabilities through education, empowerment, and community involvement, training these groups in biodiversity monitoring techniques (species identification, habitat restoration, GPS data collection), organising leadership training for conservation project management roles, building capacity as conservation ambassadors for community awareness campaigns, creating partnerships with conservation organisations for youth internships in biodiversity research and wildlife protection, and enhancing private sector recognition of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in biodiversity and climate projects. Youth engagement achievements include the Rwanda Biodiversity Youth Network, youth participation in Gishwati-Mukura National Park reforestation and biodiversity monitoring, the "Forest of Hope" initiative for youth-led environmental education, and ARCOS capacity-building workshops. Community-based conservation is central to Rwanda's approach, with programs in Volcanoes, Nyungwe, and Akagera National Parks engaging local populations as guides, porters, and in wildlife monitoring. The Umuganda (community works) tradition supports conservation efforts. The costing allocates USD 1.4 million.
Saudi Arabia		The NBSAP provides a dedicated section on strengthening local community participation and a national target (Goal 22 in the action plan) with specific activities and indicators. The Kingdom's policies affirm the right of citizens and local communities to a healthy environment, recognise the importance of documenting and preserving traditional knowledge, and support community participation in decision-making on biodiversity conservation. A multi-disciplinary participatory review process was used for updating national biodiversity objectives, with national entities representing local communities participating. The national action plan specifies: developing and activating a national framework and policies to promote community participation, ensuring involvement in all stages of planning, decision-making, conservation, and management (2026–2027); designing and implementing programmes for engaging local communities in conservation and management, built on capacity building and empowerment (2027–2030); establishing fair mechanisms for obtaining free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC) from local communities regarding biodiversity protection measures and benefit-sharing (2027–2030); activating effective communication channels between government entities and local communities to ensure information flow and inclusion (2026–2030); and monitoring and evaluating the effectiveness of community participation mechanisms (2028–2030). Indicators include: percentage of Kingdom regions with effective community participation, number of NGOs dedicated to wildlife conservation, platforms allowing local community participation in decision-making, and community-led conservation initiatives. The monitoring framework governance principles include engaging civil society, field monitoring communities, and the private sector in data collection, with specific attention to the participation of women and youth. National Target 10 (urban biodiversity) also references the rights of local communities, youth, women, girls, and persons with disabilities. Responsible entities include the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture; National Centre for Wildlife; National Centre for Vegetation Cover; Ministry of Culture; Ministry of Tourism; and Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development.
Sudan	Ensure the full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities in Sudan, at all relevant levels, and their access to justice and information related to biodiversity, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge, as well as women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities, and ensure the full protection of environmental human rights defenders.	National Target 22 commits Sudan to ensuring full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities at all relevant levels, and their access to justice and information related to biodiversity, respecting their cultures and rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge, as well as women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities, and the full protection of environmental human rights defenders. Chapter 13 of the NBSAP is dedicated to IPLC roles in implementation. Fourteen actions are identified with explicit IPLC roles across six biodiversity components (cultivated plant agrobiodiversity, wildlife, marine, inland waters, insects and microorganisms, and ABS). These actions address effective participation, ABS, awareness raising and training, and knowledge documentation, distributed among the three CBD objectives (conservation, sustainable use, ABS) and aligned with elements of the Programme of Work on Article 8(j). Proposals to enhance IPLC effectiveness include organizing awareness activities during implementation, involving IPLC individuals in preparatory activities, encouraging formation of representative committees, and ensuring balanced participation. The gender matrix specifies that IPLCs should be represented by at least 10% in bodies of decision-making processes for inland waters, with women represented by at least 30% of IPLC representatives. A similar provision applies for ABS aspects. Budget allocations under Goal D include US$300,000 for inland waters (2 actions for Target 22). The monitoring framework tracks proportion of adult population with secure tenure rights to land, percentage of positions held by women in national and local institutions, level of IPLC representation in decision-making bodies, and traditional/indigenous knowledge for conservation of biodiversity, with progress thresholds for effective participation (P < 40% Low, 40% ≤ P ≤ 70% moderate, P > 70% high) and secure tenure (P < 10% Low, 10% ≤ P < 18% moderate, P > 18% high).
Sweden		The NBSAP frames participation rights through Swedish constitutional and statutory law (Instrument of Government, Environmental Code, Aarhus Convention, Planning and Building Act) and through the Act (2022:66) on consultation on matters concerning the Sámi people, under which Sámi representatives shall be consulted by the Government, state authorities, regions and municipalities before decisions of particular significance for the Sámi. The Government's approach in chapter 11 states that meaningful participation of the Sámi people and local communities in decision-making processes on biodiversity should be ensured, their traditional knowledge should be taken into account when relevant, and indigenous peoples' rights to land, territories and resources should be respected in line with target 22. The Sámi are recognized both as an indigenous people and as a national minority. A consultation with Sámi representatives was conducted in developing the national strategy. Participation is operationalized through management tools such as the large-carnivore tolerance-level tool, reindeer husbandry plans (grounded in reindeer herders' traditional knowledge), and Laponiatjuottjudus (Laponia Administration) as a local management organization including Sámi communities. Sámi and other traditional knowledge should continue to be considered in forestry, wind power, mining and other decisions, to the extent possible in a coordinated manner facilitating cumulative-effects assessment. The principle of free, prior and informed consent (FPIC) is to be examined in the evaluation of the Consultation Act a few years after its entry into force. Within the Arctic Council, Sweden works for biodiversity in the Arctic to be conserved and used sustainably taking into account indigenous peoples' traditional knowledge. Sida works with a rights-based approach; over 70 per cent of its biodiversity-related support in 2024 had integrated targets contributing to gender equality, and Sida supports environmental defenders in many parts of the world.
Senegal	Promote inclusive policies, indigenous knowledge and traditional practices relating to biological diversity conservation. Reformulated: Territorialise biodiversity protection through inclusive governance that respects community rights and guarantees the equitable participation of women and young people	The NBSAP defines national target (22) as promoting inclusive policies, indigenous knowledge and traditional practices relating to biological diversity conservation, reformulated as: "Territorialise biodiversity protection through inclusive governance that respects community rights and guarantees the equitable participation of women and young people." The results framework prescribes two priority actions: strengthening of shared governance (indicator: number of functional management committees) and support for local initiatives on nature protection and conservation (indicator: number of recognised community protection areas). Inclusive governance is the fourth guiding principle of the NBSAP, emphasising openness, transparency, consultation and consent for all stakeholders. The NBSAP was developed through territorial consultation workshops in all eight Hubs, with a whole-of-society approach involving public institutions, local authorities, academia, the private sector, civil society, local communities, and development partners. The stakeholder mapping reveals CBOs of a social and cultural nature (52% of stakeholders) as the most active group. Community Nature Reserves (RNC) and Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas and Territories (APAC) form part of the protected area network. The monitoring framework envisions creation of Territorial Biodiversity Committees to strengthen intersectoral coordination and local stakeholder participation. The seventh guiding principle (Cooperation) and the third strategic axis are specifically dedicated to inclusive governance, social equity, and promotion of endogenous knowledge.
Suriname	4.7 Suriname's biodiversity policies include gender-responsive actions and these are implemented through inclusive participation mechanisms, considering intersectionality and outcomes that effectively improve the situation of vulnerable groups, including indigenous and tribal peoples, women and youth.	National Target 4.7 commits Suriname's biodiversity policies to including gender-responsive actions, implemented through inclusive participation mechanisms that consider intersectionality and outcomes that effectively improve the situation of vulnerable groups, including indigenous and tribal peoples, women and youth. The Pathway 4 narrative states that 'inclusive participation mechanisms need to ensure transparency on the purpose of participation and should enable respectful, including free, prior, informed and meaningful participation without discriminating minority or vulnerable groups'. Action 4.7.1 commits to co-developing a structural inclusive public-ITP partnership for participation in biodiversity-related decision-making concerning ITP territories and communities, based on FPIC principles ($617,550). Action 4.7.2 commits to a flexible structural platform for public-private-civil society cooperation on environmental and biodiversity issues. Total Target 4.7 cost is $1,313,920. Pathway 3 (Targets 3.1, 3.2, 3.3) operationalises the participation commitment through ITP knowledge and ABS work.
El Salvador — NBSAP Country Page	By 2030, El Salvador will have promoted the broad and full participation of all sectors and actors of society, at all levels of action for the restoration, conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, including the distribution of benefits obtained from its utilisation.	The NBSAP establishes National Target 10: broad and full participation of all sectors and actors of society in biodiversity governance structures, including decision-making processes that particularly affect territorial planning and social and economic development. KMGBF Target 22 is explicitly listed as an associated global target. Two strategic actions are defined with detailed operational actions and timelines: (10.1) promote enabling conditions for broad participation in governance structures, including establishment of an NBSAP monitoring committee (2026 and 2029), coordination of biodiversity actions with national agendas (2026 and 2029), capacity development for representative participation in governance mechanisms (2026, 2028), and initiatives for women, youth and indigenous peoples' participation (2029, 2030). (10.2) Facilitate collaboration schemes for restoration, conservation and sustainable use, including public consultation instruments with systematic data collection on the influence of women, men, youth and indigenous peoples (2025–2030), and analyses of participation in biodiversity-based economic alternatives (2026 and 2028). The consultation process for the NBSAP itself involved 250 people (44% women) across 20 virtual bilateral sessions and six in-person workshops in three geographic zones, with 57 public and private institutions participating. Existing participatory mechanisms include Local Advisory Committees (COAL), Local Ramsar Committees, and PLAS. Indicators track the number of key stakeholders participating in governance mechanisms and the proportion of persons involved in sustainable economic initiatives with a biodiversity focus, disaggregated by interest group. The estimated cost is $1,770,000.
Chad		The NBSAP links Global Target 22 to National Objective 19 (NO19), the scientific knowledge and technology objective. The 2011–2020 reference notes that IP and LC are not fully involved in the CBD strategy's action plan; the 2030 target is effective implementation of Law 24 on land ownership and its implementing texts. Measures include: full involvement of IP and LC in all relevant processes and decisions affecting species conservation; participation of IP and LC in the development and implementation of the NBSAP (2025–2030); effective and equitable involvement of women's and youth associations in decisions affecting species conservation; a youth awareness project on the conservation of wild fauna and flora during World Wildlife Day; creation of a safe environment to ensure the security of IP and LC as well as environmental activists in the framework of their respective activities; identification of property rights or guaranteed rights over agricultural land, disaggregated by sex; and assessment of women among owners or holders of rights over agricultural land. The indicator is the proportion of the total adult population with secure land rights — (a) with legally recognised documents and (b) who perceive their rights as secure — disaggregated by sex and type of tenure regime (I1GT22).
Togo	Target 13 : Strengthen the participatory and inclusive management approach, and traditional practices for biodiversity conservation	The NBSAP designates National Target 13 under Strategic Objective 1, mapped to GBF Target 22, committing to strengthen the participatory and inclusive management approach, and traditional practices for biodiversity conservation. Participatory and inclusive governance is a foundational principle. Principle (ii) calls for a participatory and inclusive approach involving all concerned stakeholders at all levels for design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, emphasising consultation, synergy of action, permanent dialogue, and full responsible involvement. Principle (xiv) states that the roles and contributions of local communities as guardians of biodiversity must be recognised, including their rights, traditional knowledge, innovations, worldviews, values, and practices, with free, prior and informed consent. The national NBSAP monitoring committee includes two representatives of civil society, one representative of NGO umbrella organisations, two representatives of women's organisations, and one representative of youth organisations. The assessment of the 2011-2020 NBSAP noted that the strong involvement of private organisations, NGOs, and community organisations — especially women's and youth groups — enabled a large part of the objectives achieved and served as examples of good practices.
Thailand		The plan contains a dedicated section on 'Awareness of the Roles and Rights of Local Communities, Indigenous Peoples, Women, Youth, and Vulnerable Groups in the Conservation and Protection of Biodiversity' (§135, §137, §139). It commits to recognise the roles and rights of these groups, ensuring full gender responsiveness, equality, and effective inclusion of vulnerable groups, and to support equitable access to decision-making, justice, and biodiversity-related information while respecting cultures and rights to lands, resources, and traditional knowledge. The measures (§139) name: (7) active participation and engagement of indigenous peoples and local communities in decision-making processes affecting their way of life, customs, and resources; (8) access to justice and information, including transparency, accountability, and participation in environmental decision-making, and protection of environmental human rights defenders; (9) recognition and upholding of rights over cultures, land, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge, consistent with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and human rights law, including rights to own, use, develop, and control lands, territories, and resources; (10) equal rights and access for women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities; and (11) full protection of environmental human rights defenders against violence and intimidation through legal protection, effective remedies, and secure exercise of rights free from reprisals. The IPLC context (§137) notes that indigenous peoples and local communities possess cultural and holistic understanding based on traditional knowledge, practices, and innovation, and that their lands encompass diverse ecosystems with high biodiversity concentrations supported by agroforestry, rotational farming, and community-based conservation. The plan also commits (§142, measure 1.2) to support development of databases for local communities, indigenous peoples, women, youth, and vulnerable groups regarding biodiversity conservation and protection. The Council of Indigenous Peoples in Thailand is named among responsible agencies (§233).
Uganda		Strategic Objective 5 is mapped to KMGBF Target 22 in Table 22. Inclusive participation is embedded as a cross-cutting principle throughout the NBSAP. Overarching principle 1 calls for an "inclusive and participatory approach through application of the whole of government and whole of society approach to bring all stakeholders on board, including indigenous peoples and local communities, women and youth in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of biodiversity conservation efforts." Principle 4 specifies a human rights-based approach to biodiversity conservation. Thematic Area 5 includes the strategy to "strengthen the role of indigenous peoples and local communities in biodiversity conservation and management, with particular respect to gender considerations." Lessons from NBSAPII (§61) note that establishing expert working groups enhances effectiveness, specifically addressing gender, Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs), youth, and collaboration with private sectors, NGOs, and civil society. The section on genetic resource loss (§47) specifically mentions learning from women's and men's indigenous and traditional knowledge and techniques, including community and women-led seed banks. The gender equality section (§162) commits to increasing women's participation in decision-making, involving women's groups in community-based monitoring, and engaging women's organizations in policy development on sustainable land-use and agriculture.
Viet Nam		The NBSAP commits to ensuring equal participation and the rights of local communities including women and girls, and youth in the decision-making process related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. The viewpoint section establishes that biodiversity conservation is "the right and responsibility of every organization and individual" and that benefits should be shared "fairly and equitably, in line with the participation and contributions of each organization and individual." The strategy calls for enhancing compliance with laws and social responsibility among organizations and individuals, and for exploring mechanisms to encourage voluntary standards for nature and biodiversity conservation. Socio-political organizations, social organizations, and socio-professional organizations are called upon to actively participate in and supervise conservation and sustainable use activities. Financial policies to support livelihood development for communities in buffer zones of protected areas are also referenced.
Vanuatu		The NBSAP includes two national-level activities under Target 22: expanding Biodiversity Advisory Committee (BAC) membership to ensure inclusive participation in decision-making, with the appointment of Youth Councils, VANGO, VBRC, VSDP, and VCC as observers (EG.20, short-term); and promoting inclusive community governance for biodiversity management, with conservation committees to include representatives from women, disability, youth, and faith-based organisations (EG.22, VUV 4,000,000, medium-term). The BAC is established under the EPC Act and has convened meetings to discuss biodiversity-related matters. Provincially, Malampa plans to formally establish environment/conservation committees with grant-application capacity, and to strengthen custom governance in CCAs and MPAs. Shefa commits to enacting and enforcing village environmental by-laws across all area councils by 2028. Torba's provincial plan requires that all research activities within conservation areas are carried out in consultation with the Area Council, Provincial Government, and conservation committees, with official documentation of consultation efforts. The CCA model throughout the NBSAP relies on community management committees working with customary landowners and Chiefs. Target 22 is allocated VUV 4,000,000.
Yemen	By 2030, ensure fair and reasonable representation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in committees, working groups, and departments whose primary mission is biodiversity management. Adopt a gender-responsive approach to ensure the effective participation of women, vulnerable groups, marginalized communities, and youth in achieving national and international biodiversity Targets, providing them with opportunities to access natural resources and ensuring their fair, equitable, purposeful, and informed participation at all levels of environmental action and biodiversity-related decision-making.	The NBSAP establishes National Target 19, aligned to GBF Targets 22 and 23 combined, committing to ensure fair and reasonable representation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups in committees, working groups, and departments whose primary mission is biodiversity management by 2030. The target adopts a gender-responsive approach to ensure the effective participation of women, vulnerable groups, marginalized communities, and youth in achieving biodiversity targets, providing them with opportunities to access natural resources and ensuring their fair, equitable, purposeful, and informed participation at all levels of environmental action and biodiversity-related decision-making. Community participation is a cross-cutting theme throughout the NBSAP. The strategy adopts an all-of-Government, all-of-society approach. Multiple pathways reference community co-management of ecosystems and protected areas. The Action Plan includes strengthening legal frameworks to recognize communities as equal partners in ecosystem management, and specific capacity-building programmes targeting women, youth, people with special needs, and children. The Vulnerable Groups Associations (VGA, defined as women/children) are listed as partners in the Action Plan.
Zambia	By 2020, the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of local communities relevant for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity are respected, fully integrated and reflected in the implementation of the Convention with the full and effective participation of local communities, at all relevant levels.	The NBSAP addresses inclusive participation through National Target 16 on traditional knowledge and through the broader participatory approach of NBSAP2 development. National Target 16 commits to ensuring that traditional knowledge, innovations, and practices of local communities relevant for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use are respected, fully integrated, and reflected in Convention implementation with full and effective participation of local communities at all relevant levels by 2020. The strategy includes documentation of traditional knowledge, innovations, and biocultural practices for biodiversity conservation, with publication of indigenous knowledge practices and development of Local Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plans (LBSAPs) incorporating proven indigenous knowledge. NBSAP2 was developed through a consultative process involving more than 500 stakeholders at national and provincial levels, including government agencies, civil society organizations, research institutions, the Community Based Natural Resources Management Forum (CBNRMF), and the Ministry of Chiefs and Traditional Affairs. The strategy states it "belongs to all people of Zambia including practitioners of biodiversity conservation, local communities, women and the youth." The strategy also calls for lobbying Parliament for ratification of the Customary Land Bill, which would give traditional authorities power to decide land issues within their jurisdictions.
Austria		The included briefing sections do not use the KMGBF framing of inclusive participation for indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth and other marginalised groups. Participation-related content is addressed through general stakeholder involvement: under the legal framework, the strategy foresees evaluation of existing and, where appropriate, creation of further possibilities for conducting and strengthening mediative and participatory processes in connection with the conservation and restoration of biodiversity. Under awareness-raising (§9.1), it foresees strengthened involvement of the public and all relevant stakeholders — particularly young people through youth organisations, as well as farmers and foresters — in biodiversity-relevant communication processes, including any planned continuation of the biodiversity dialogue (citing Upper Austria's agenda21-ooe.at example), and expansion of an Austria-wide network of multipliers (e.g. through the Chambers of Agriculture) to convey biodiversity topics at local level including citizens' councils, excursions, advisory sessions and workshops. Under tourism, cross-regional and cross-Länder development of coordinated strategies is to take place together with regional actors, including involvement of guests in citizen science projects. The strategy does not name indigenous peoples and local communities or identify gender, women, or marginalised groups as specific participation constituencies in the included sections.
Belgium		The NBSAP addresses participation of indigenous and local communities primarily in the context of access and benefit-sharing. Operational objective 6.4 commits to creating operational mechanisms by 2020 to protect the knowledge, innovations, and practices of indigenous and local communities embodying traditional lifestyles relevant to conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The Strategy references the Nagoya Protocol's requirements for prior informed consent or approval of indigenous and local communities for access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. The Tkarihwaié:ri Code of Ethical Conduct is adopted as a framework ensuring full involvement of indigenous and local communities. Belgium commits to supporting participation of representatives of indigenous and local communities in appropriate forums and integrating traditional knowledge preservation into development cooperation projects. More broadly, the Strategy calls for improving the science-policy interface and promoting actor participation, including sector representatives, land managers, and NGOs. Creative solutions are called for to install mechanisms ensuring participation and consultation. However, the Strategy does not contain specific provisions for women, youth, persons with disabilities, or other marginalised groups in biodiversity governance.
Burkina Faso		The NBSAP incorporates participatory elements primarily through the 2015 Framework Law for Agro-Sylvo-Pastoral Activities, which recognises, protects, and guarantees the inalienable rights of local communities regarding access to their traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits. Participatory management of conservation areas is one of four main actions under EO 1.1.1. The logical framework targets increasing the percentage of populations in cities, local communities, regions, communes, and villages made aware of the importance of biodiversity from 0% (2024) to 30% by 2030. Territorial collectivities are expected to collaborate with businesses, civil society organisations, training and research institutions, and local actors to mobilise resources for biodiversity, generating ecological restoration projects and reforestation programmes. Civil society organisations are listed as key implementation actors. However, the NBSAP does not establish specific mechanisms for equitable participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, or persons with disabilities in biodiversity governance as envisioned by Target 22. The strategy's overall objective mentions improving socio-economic conditions of "men and women" but does not elaborate specific gender-differentiated participation frameworks.
Belarus	Ensuring citizens' and public associations' access to complete, reliable and timely environmental information, as well as to public consultations on draft environmentally significant decisions, environmental impact assessment reports, and environmental reports on strategic environmental assessments, including matters related to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.	The strategy's objective 19 is mapped by the NBSAP to KMGBF Targets 22 and 23 and commits to ensuring citizens' and public associations' access to complete, reliable, and timely environmental information, as well as to public consultations on draft environmentally significant decisions, environmental impact assessment reports, and environmental reports on strategic environmental assessments, including matters related to biodiversity conservation. The National Action Plan includes improvement of legal regulation of public relations in the field of conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity (item 3, 2026–2030). The content addresses public participation broadly but does not specifically address the equitable participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, persons with disabilities, or other marginalised groups that are the focus of Target 22.
Côte d'Ivoire		The NBSAP addresses the participation of indigenous and local communities primarily through the lens of traditional knowledge and sacred site governance. The strategy calls for finding mechanisms to restore and use traditional knowledge in biodiversity conservation whilst protecting the intellectual property rights of local communities, and for developing legislative and regulatory texts to protect holders' rights. For sacred forests, governance mechanisms are designed to leave management responsibility to ritual leaders and traditional authorities. The strategy also calls for involving populations in the management of priority conservation sites. Strategic Orientation 5 addresses broader citizen mobilisation, noting that rural populations — the primary exploiters of natural resources — are poorly informed about biodiversity threats. The strategy calls for the active participation of all stakeholders (local communities, administrations, private sector, NGOs) at both identification and implementation stages of actions, with a particular role for Ivorian NGOs as agencies for awareness-raising and education. However, the NBSAP does not specifically address the participation of women, youth, or other marginalised groups as distinct categories.
China		The NBSAP references inclusive participation but frames it primarily through a 'whole-of-society' lens rather than explicitly addressing indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs) or marginalised groups as Target 22 envisages. Priority Action 6 calls for innovatively developing biodiversity conservation activities suitable for different demographic groups, and specifically mentions safeguarding the rights of women, children, young people, and persons with disabilities to participate in biodiversity conservation actions and leverage their positive influence. The plan promotes public interest litigation mechanisms, reporting mechanisms for illegal activities, information disclosure, and social participation platforms. Biodiversity citizen science is to be developed. The ecological product value realisation framework encourages social capital and local communities to participate in ecosystem conservation and restoration. Traditional knowledge protection under Priority Action 20 addresses ethnic groups and their knowledge systems, including selecting representative ethnic groups for research and demonstrations. However, the NBSAP does not use the framework of 'indigenous peoples and local communities' as understood in the KMGBF context, and does not address free, prior, and informed consent or specific rights-based approaches to participation.
Czechia		The Strategy references public involvement and participation of diverse actors but does not specifically address indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs), women, youth, or marginalised groups as required by Target 22. Measure 1.1.4 commits to preparing a methodology for the involvement of private entities and civic initiatives in biodiversity conservation through OECMs (deadline 2029). Measure 10.4.7 supports active involvement of the public and private sectors in practical biodiversity protection, including monitoring, awareness raising, and support for land associations, with dedicated financial resources for NGOs. The pressures assessment notes growing conflict with public interests and the need for a participatory approach by state authorities. However, the Strategy does not include specific provisions for equitable participation of IPLCs, gender-responsive approaches, or youth engagement in biodiversity governance.
Germany		The NBS 2030 describes a participatory development process and ongoing stakeholder engagement but does not specifically address the equitable participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, persons with disabilities, or other marginalised groups as framed by GBF Target 22. The development process section describes engagement with nature conservation associations, municipalities, federal states, young people, and the academic community, and a public consultation from 15 June to 9 July 2023 that received more than 900 comments and 80 position statements. The 2050 vision emphasises a whole-of-society approach with relevant stakeholders assuming responsibility. The NBS dialogue platform is designed to foster stakeholder ties and motivate participation. However, the strategy's participation framework is described in general terms — stakeholders, civil society, religious communities, educational institutions — without specific provisions for indigenous peoples, gender-responsive approaches, or explicit attention to marginalised groups beyond a general reference to young people in the consultation process.
Spain		The NBSAP calls for promoting public participation processes in biodiversity planning and management, with good practice guides to be prepared for their implementation. Land and coastal stewardship initiatives are to be promoted as a complement to Public Administration actions. The Biosphere Reserves model is highlighted for its commitment to integrated, participatory, and sustainable management involving inhabitants and administrations. Environmental education and awareness-raising activities are planned within the Action Plan for Environmental Education for Sustainability (PAEAS), targeting citizens, teachers, and students. The role of civil society in prevention and prosecution of environmental offences is to be encouraged. However, the NBSAP does not contain specific provisions addressing equitable participation of Indigenous peoples and local communities, youth as a distinct stakeholder group, or other marginalised groups in biodiversity governance. Gender-specific participation is addressed (see Target 23) but not within a broader inclusive participation framework.
European Union		The strategy references inclusive participation primarily in the context of what the EU advocates for in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework: a principle of equality including respect for the rights and full and effective participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, and an inclusive approach with participation of women, youth, civil society, local authorities, the private sector, academia, and scientific institutions. Internationally, the EU commits to strengthening the links between biodiversity protection and human rights, gender, health, education, the rights-based approach, land tenure, and the role of indigenous peoples and local communities. Domestically, the new governance framework is to ensure co-responsibility and co-ownership by all relevant actors, and support stakeholder dialogue and participatory governance at different levels. The Commission also commits to supporting civil society's role as a compliance watchdog and to proposing a revision of the Aarhus Regulation to broaden standing for NGOs, as well as improving access to justice in national courts for individuals and NGOs in environmental matters. However, specific measures targeting participation of indigenous peoples, women, youth, or marginalised groups in EU-level biodiversity decision-making are not detailed.
Hungary		The NBSAP does not specifically address participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, or persons with disabilities as framed by KMGBF Target 22. However, the planning process section notes that the strategy was developed with stakeholder consultation, and the SWOT analysis identifies increasing social demand for an environmentally conscious lifestyle. Objective 18 (Target 18.1) calls for strengthening cooperation among social actors involved in awareness-raising, including governmental and non-governmental organisations, educational institutions, research institutions, churches, art institutions, and municipalities. Target 18.1 also mentions targeted programmes for social responsibility and communication actions for owners and farmers affected by protected areas. These references address broad public engagement but not the equitable participation of specific marginalised groups.
Iceland		The NBSAP does not contain specific provisions for the equitable participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth or marginalised groups in biodiversity decision-making, as Iceland does not have indigenous communities in the sense addressed by GBF Target 22. The policy does emphasise broad public participation and societal engagement: §99 calls for mobilising all of society and states that people of all ages and all genders must be encouraged, regardless of class or status, to take better care of nature. The consultation process included open meetings and the government consultation portal. However, these provisions address general public participation rather than the targeted equity and inclusion mechanisms called for by Target 22.
Malta		The NBSAP adopts a whole-of-society approach as a guiding principle, recognising, promoting, and supporting the roles and contributions of all relevant stakeholders in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. The approach calls for meaningful participation and action by individuals, local communities, civil society (including NGOs and religious institutions), academia, and the private sector (including industry, media, and financial institutions). The Good Governance section lists Participation and Equity among key elements for decision-making bodies. However, the NBSAP does not include specific provisions for indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, or other marginalised groups as distinct categories in biodiversity decision-making, as envisaged by KMGBF Target 22.
Namibia		NBSAP 3 does not contain a dedicated National Target on inclusive IPLC, women, youth and marginalised-group participation as a standalone target in the sections included; instead, equity and participation obligations are woven across multiple programmes. The development approach deliberately engaged vulnerable and marginalised groups through local-level focus group discussions in all fourteen political regions. Strategic Goal 3 commits to meaningful involvement of local communities and traditional knowledge holders in decision-making. Programme 19 (Target 9) promotes equitable access to benefits and ensures women, youth and marginalised groups are meaningfully involved in biodiversity-based value chains and decision-making; activities strengthen rights and participation of IPLCs and review CBNRM benefit-sharing mechanisms. The ABS programmes (Strategic Goal 3) explicitly empower IPLCs and traditional authorities to exercise PIC rights, negotiate mutually agreed terms, and strengthen Indigenous Knowledge Systems in ABS. Programme 24 commits to ensuring equitable participation of IPLCs in biodiversity-related decision-making and the consideration of ILK in new policies and legislation. Programme 32 integrates local and traditional knowledge with scientific data in culturally appropriate, rights-respecting ways. Programme 33 on gender addresses women's leadership and removal of barriers to women's meaningful participation. The overall framing is cross-cutting rather than concentrated in a dedicated Target 22 programme.
Netherlands		The NBSAP addresses targets 22 and 23 together in a single brief annex paragraph. The Netherlands states it is working towards more inclusive decision-making, described as necessary to enable the transition to a sustainable food system within planetary boundaries. The approach involves continually asking whether the right parties are at the table, including women, young people, and smaller businesses. In consultation with the public bodies of the Caribbean Netherlands, an exploration will be conducted into the extent to which additional steps are needed to meet this action target. No specific mechanisms, timelines, or institutional arrangements for ensuring equitable participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, or other marginalised groups beyond those named, are described.
Slovenia		The NEAP 2020–2030 addresses public and stakeholder participation in biodiversity governance but does not specifically address the participation of indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, or other marginalised groups as distinct categories. Table 1 includes awareness-raising measures with local stakeholder involvement: promoting awareness-raising activities through direct communication involving local stakeholders (Measure 39), and awareness-raising enabling behaviour change in areas where nature is directly threatened by local activities (Measure 39). The Strategic Plan's Measure 6.6 supports cooperation with and between companies and NGOs, developing volunteer networks and programmes (6.6.1), and organising meetings for representatives of media, ministries, public services, companies and NGOs (6.6.2). Measure 3.2.2 calls for including the public in prevention of INNS introduction and spread. The programme notes that the establishment of new protected areas should take into account the interests of key stakeholders including nature conservation NGOs and municipalities (Measure 12).
Tunisia		The NBSAP does not have a dedicated target or objective for equitable participation and human rights as specified in KM-GBF Target 22. The alignment analysis identified Target 22 as having no equivalent in the previous NBSAP 2018-2030. However, participatory approaches and inclusive governance feature across several measures. The creation of MCPAs under Law No. 2009-49 involves public decision-making, consultative authorities, and local populations, which the NBSAP notes corresponds to IUCN recommendations. Measure A3.5 mobilises local stakeholders for MCPA governance and involves them in the ecological and societal challenges of protected area protection. Multiple actions reference participatory management plan development involving local populations (A2.2.1, A3.2.1, B2.4.5). The technology transfer measures (D7.3.2) explicitly mention training for young people, women, and persons with disabilities. The engagement of the associative network, including forestry associations, hunters' associations, agricultural development groups, soil and water conservation associations, and women's associations, is identified in the stakeholder framework. The national constitution (2022) guarantees the right to a healthy and balanced environment (Article 47) and the right to drinking water for future generations (Article 48). Indigenous peoples as a category are not referenced in the Tunisian NBSAP.
Switzerland
Luxembourg		Content addressing Target 22 was not identified in this NBSAP. The strategy discusses stakeholder participation in governance (municipalities, private sector, farmers, civil society) but does not address equitable participation for indigenous peoples and local communities, women, youth, persons with disabilities, or other marginalised groups in biodiversity decision-making.