The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) addresses gender and Indigenous issues by emphasizing the importance of equitable benefit-sharing, participation, and respect for traditional knowledge.

Specific targets encourage the inclusion of women and Indigenous Peoples in decision-making processes and the protection of their rights. In the last couple of years, progress has been made with countries integrating gender considerations into national biodiversity strategies and action plans (NBSAPs), and recognizing the rights of Indigenous Peoples, particularly in Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) agreements. However, challenges remain in achieving equitable representation and ensuring that benefits reach marginalized groups. Efforts to monitor progress, build capacity, and provide legal protections have been initiated, but continued focus is needed to fully realize the goals of inclusivity and equity in biodiversity conservation. 

2050 Goals 

GOAL C: Share Benefits Fairly 

The monetary and non-monetary benefits from the utilization of genetic resources and digital sequence information on genetic resources, and of traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources, as applicable, are shared fairly and equitably, including, as appropriate with indigenous peoples and local communities, and substantially increased by 2050, while ensuring traditional knowledge associated with genetic resources is appropriately protected, thereby contributing to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, in accordance with internationally agreed access and benefit-sharing instruments. 

Goal C relates to gender issues by emphasizing the need for equitable access to and sharing of benefits derived from genetic resources. Women, especially in rural and Indigenous communities, frequently face barriers in accessing resources and benefits due to social and economic inequalities. The framework aims to address these disparities by promoting gender-responsive approaches to benefit-sharing. 

Goal C also recognizes the importance of traditional knowledge and practices in biodiversity conservation. It supports the protection of Indigenous rights, including ensuring that they receive a fair share of the benefits from the use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. This includes respecting their Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) and ensuring that they are not exploited in the utilization of their knowledge and resources. 

2030 Targets 

Target 20: Strengthen Capacity-Building, Technology Transfer, and Scientific and Technical Cooperation for Biodiversity 

Strengthen capacity-building and development, access to and transfer of technology, and promote development of and access to innovation and technical and scientific cooperation, including through South-South, North-South and triangular cooperation, to meet the needs for effective 

implementation, particularly in developing countries, fostering joint technology development and joint scientific research programmes for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and strengthening scientific research and monitoring capacities, commensurate with the ambition of the goals and targets of the framework. 

Canada, Australia, and New Zealand have all made efforts to incorporate Indigenous knowledges in their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and consult Indigenous communities in their frameworks. They have also made attempts in recognizing and empowering Indigenous women in these frameworks. Challenges remain in fully integrating gender and Indigenous perspectives into biodiversity policies and practices. Issues such as ensuring meaningful participation and addressing power imbalances. 

Target 21: Ensure That Knowledge Is Available and Accessible To Guide Biodiversity Action 

Ensure that the best available data, information and knowledge, are accessible to decision makers, practitioners and the public to guide effective and equitable governance, integrated and participatory management of biodiversity, and to strengthen communication, awareness-raising, education, monitoring, research and knowledge management and, also in this context, traditional knowledge, innovations, practices and technologies of indigenous peoples and local communities should only be accessed with their free, prior and informed consent, in accordance with national legislation. 

Many countries have established legal frameworks and institutions to implement the Nagoya Protocol, facilitating Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) agreements. There has been progress in the negotiation and implementation of ABS agreements, which outline how benefits (monetary and non-monetary) from the use of genetic resources will be shared. Some countries have successfully negotiated ABS agreements that include specific benefits for Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs). However, despite legal frameworks, there is often a gap between policy and practice. Many ABS agreements do not fully ensure fair and equitable sharing of benefits, particularly with IPLCs and women, who may lack the resources and negotiating power. Effective implementation and enforcement of ABS regulations and agreements are inconsistent and the meaningful inclusion of IPLCs, particularly Indigenous women, in ABS negotiations and decision-making processes is often lacking. 

Target 22: Ensure Participation in Decision-Making and Access to Justice and Information Related to Biodiversity for all 

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 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. 

This is the one target that explicitly focuses on gender issues. Many countries are updating their NBSAPs (National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans) to include gender-responsive measures, including Mexico, Uganda and the Philippines, which are developing gender-responsive budgets and gender-sensitive indicators. For socio-politcal reasons or financial constraints some MENA and sub-Saharan countries have shown little progress on this target. 

Target 23: Ensure Gender Equality and a Gender-Responsive Approach for Biodiversity Action 

Ensure gender equality in the implementation of the Framework through a gender-responsive approach, where all women and girls have equal opportunity and capacity to contribute to the three objectives of the Convention, including by recognizing their equal rights and access to land and natural resources and their full, equitable, meaningful and informed participation and leadership at all levels of action, engagement, policy and decision-making related to biodiversity. 

Colombia is one of the countries that have tried to make headway with this target. The government has sought to develop legal frameworks for the purpose of protecting the rights of marginalized groups and Indigenous communities, including their land rights. Norway takes an approach that aims to protect the rights to biodiversity conservation for the Sami people and for women. 

Gender Action Plan 

At COP15, Decision 11 adopted the Gender Plan of Action, recognizing the critical role of gender equality and women’s participation in achieving biodiversity goals. The purpose is to “to support and promote the gender responsive implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The Plan of Action will also support a gender responsive approach to applying the implementation mechanisms associated with the Framework.” Some goals of the plan were to: 

1. Provide training and support to enhance the capacity of women and gender advocates in biodiversity conservation. 
2. Ensure that financial resources are allocated to support gender-specific actions and initiatives in biodiversity conservation. 
3. Improve the collection and analysis of gender-disaggregated data to inform policies and measure progress in gender equality. 

South Africa, Vanuatu, the Republic of Korea, France, Mozambique and the United Kingdom have also provided substantive inputs on the draft methodology for monitoring and indicators on progress. 

At SBI-4 in Nairobi, Women4Biodiversity, in collaboration with the World Wildlife Fund, announced a “Training Module on Advancing Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in the Implementation of the Kunming Montreal-Global Biodiversity Framework”. The purpose of this module is to provide information, methodologies and tools for measuring progresson on gender-responsive approaches in biodiversity conservation, especially in implementing the Gender Action Plan. 

Potential Specific Targets 

1. Equitable Gender Representation in Decision-Making 

Achieve equitable gender representation (50% non-male) in leadership and decision-making positions within national and local biodiversity-related institutions and organizations by 2030. 

2. Gender-Responsive ABS Agreements 

Ensure that by 2030, all new Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) agreements include specific provisions for gender equity, ensuring that at least 30% of the benefits are allocated to projects supporting women’s participation in biodiversity conservation. The ABS is expected to be one of the key areas of focus at COP16. 

3. Gender-Sensitive Monitoring and Evaluation 

Implement gender-sensitive indicators in national biodiversity monitoring and evaluation frameworks by 2025, with data disaggregated by gender to track the participation and benefits received by women. 

4. Financial Support for Women-Led Initiatives 

Establish a national fund in participating countries dedicated to supporting women-led biodiversity conservation and sustainable development projects by 2025. 

At COP16 

• The Women Forum is expected to occur on October 25. No further details have yet been provided.
• The Business and Biodiversity Forum is scheduled for October 27. At COP15, the forum culminated with the announcement of the creation of a €300 million Climate Fund for Nature. That forum had no panels discussing gender-equitable decision-making or women-led initiatives.
• Finance and Biodiversity Day is on October 28. Finance Ministers and CEOs are expected to engage in dialogue on the financial systems and supports needed to achieve the GBF goals. This would be an important day to ensure that there is a strong, specific, gender-responsive budget in place.
• The “Training Module on Advancing Women’s Rights and Gender Equality in the Implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” will be available.