Voices from COP16 - "Just Partnerships: Exchange and Learning Between Indigenous Peoples, Afro-Descendant Descendant & Local Communities"

As the environmental crisis intensifies, Indigenous communities continue to be on the frontlines of the fight to protect their lands and the world's biodiversity, yet many face challenges in accessing the necessary resources to do so. At #COP16Colombia, a powerful panel discussion moderated by Katy Baker from United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP FI) highlighted the critical need to rethink how we finance biodiversity protection and ensure Indigenous voices are not only heard but lead the way. Here are some of the highlights from the discussions.

Partnering with purpose

“You are investing capital, we are investing our livelihoods.” - Ňkwi Flores, Kinray Hub

The keynote presentation by Nkwi Flores ( Kinray Hub: Indigenous-led R&D ) focused on fostering collaboration between Indigenous peoples and financial actors through a transdisciplinary and transboundary approach. Ňkwi emphasized that discussions have evolved beyond mere sentimentality or legal frameworks; "it is now about finding practical paths toward sustainability and regeneration", grounded in the experiences of Indigenous communities.

Drawing from their personal background in the transboundary region between the Andes and the Amazon, Ňkwi highlighted the Indigenous approach to nature as one of stewardship rather than extraction. Indigenous people have developed biocultural economies that prioritize the regeneration of ecosystems. A key concept they discussed is the “semi-permeable membrane,” a metaphor for the relationship between Indigenous peoples, nature, and society that reflects the balance Indigenous peoples have cultivated between engaging with the broader world (such as economic activities, partnerships, and scientific communities) and maintaining boundaries to protect their ecosystems, cultures, and ways of life.

Ňkwi noted that although Indigenous peoples do not maintain traditional accounting records, they have built trust and credibility from their generations of success in protecting nature. "We may not have the accounting book, but we have a very great record from our stewardship of nature... You are investing capital, but we are investing our livelihoods," they said.

The Urgency of Protecting Indigenous Lands

"We need a dialogue where both Indigenous and non-Indigenous spaces work together as equals" - Emil Sirén Gualinga

Emil Sirén Gualinga ( Business & Human Rights Resource Centre ) shared his perspective from living in the Amazon, making it clear: "The Amazon is burning, rivers are drying up... If we have a collapse of Amazonian ecosystems, we won't have any rights [to talk about] in the next ten years." His powerful message highlighted how deeply indigenous lands, culture, and rights are intertwined. For partnerships to succeed, they must be rooted in equality. As he put it, "We need dialogue, but not just having me here in this space. It should be a cultural dialogue where both indigenous and non-indigenous spaces work together as equals."

It’s not just about protecting trees or rivers - it’s about ensuring the survival of entire cultures and ways of life.

Frustration with the Lack of Direct Funding

"I think we should be angry... billions of dollars for biodiversity but still there is no money coming to Indigenous communities." - Bustar Maitar

Bustar Maitar ( EcoNusa Foundation ), who flew 35 hours from West Papua to speak at the panel, expressed the frustration felt by many indigenous communities around the world. Despite global commitments to fund biodiversity initiatives, that money rarely reaches those who need it most. "People are talking about billions of dollars for biodiversity, but still there is no money coming to Indigenous communities," he said.

His message carried a clear call to action: "I think we should be angry... Always hearing that kind of thing, coming to these events, convincing everyone, yet still no money is coming."

Bustar’s experience echoes a sentiment shared by many in the room: Indigenous communities are doing the work, but they aren’t receiving the necessary support to continue protecting the planet.

The Realities of Financial Systems and Biodiversity

“We don’t blink an eye when we go to a restaurant and pay a 10% tip, but we have endless conversations about allocating just 1% [of global capital] to save the planet.” - Hari Balasubramanian

Hari Balasubramanian ( EcoAdvisors ) discussed the realities of global biodiversity finance, pointing out that the biodiversity funding gap, estimated at $700 billion to $1.2 trillion annually, represents just 1% of global capital flows. “We don’t blink an eye when we go to a restaurant and pay a 10% tip, but we have endless conversations about allocating just 1% to save the planet,” he pointed out. This comparison starkly reveals how easily the financial system could be restructured to address the biodiversity crisis - if we act now.

Hari argued that global financial systems are destroying nature, which underpins the entire economy, saying, “We spend over half of global GDP destroying nature. No investor in their right mind would say that’s a good business model.” He stressed the need to get decision-makers from finance into the places where biodiversity is being protected, not just debating in the boardrooms. "The right people aren't in the room. Goldman Sachs can't fix this if they've never been to the palces where the real work is being done."

Trust is the Foundation of Good Partnerships

"Partnerships are not just transactional; they need to be based on friendship." - Jane Hutchinson

Jane Hutchinson ( Pollination Foundation ) emphasized the importance of building trust-based partnerships, framing these relationships as akin to friendships. "Partnerships are not just transactional; they need to be based on friendship. You can't take it for granted, and you can't leave it unattended and expect it to still be there."

Jane reminded the room that partnerships need nurturing, just like any relationship. She argued that while the urgency of the biodiversity crisis demands quick action, we must also make time to build long-lasting partnerships that "travel at the speed of trust." Without this foundation, efforts to protect nature will remain short-sighted.

Pollination Foundation focuses on preparing both Indigenous communities and financial actors to engage in partnerships. "We need readiness on both sides - Indigenous communites need to participate with confidence, and buyers need to be ready to partner well."

Conclusion: The Path Forward

The panel discussion made it clear: addressing the biodiversity crisis requires more than just funding promises and good intentions. It demands trust, respect, and equal partnerships with Indigenous communities who are on the frontlines of protecting our planet’s biodiversity. Financial systems that have historically worked against nature must evolve, and global leaders need to listen, collaborate, and work together on equal footing to ensure a sustainable future for both people and the planet.