Antinuclear

The five day conference, which is being attended by about 1,500 delegates from over 50 countries including Ghana, would share stories, knowledge, cultural experiences and ideas on how to better manage ecosystems, protect the environment and support sustainable livelihoods…….

Dr Braulio F. de Souza Dias, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity,  said initiatives such as the WIN which recognized and thrives on local knowledge and actions was the surest method to achieve the Aichi target by the UN.

The Aichi target, he explained, seeks to reduce direct pressure on biodiversity and promote its sustainable use.

Dr Dias said traditional knowledge was the most efficient method of conserving the environment and called on governments to adopt such an approach.

Ms Eleen Ravin, Manager, Equator Initiative at the United Nations Development Programms, said WIN’s commitment to promoting local and indigenous knowledge and experience was a value closely shared by the Equator Initiative, and by UNDP as a whole.

“Although there are synergies between the vision of the Equator Initiative and that of the World Indigenous Network we see WIN as additional opportunity to build on our experience of working to connect local and indigenous land and sea managers,” she said.

Ms Ravin said UNDP recognised community-based approaches seriously because it could help nations to advance people-centered development solutions.

She said sharing similar values regarding the importance of utilizing local and indigenous knowledge was a tool for addressing some of the most pressing development and environmental issues facing the world today. http://www.spyghana.com/world-indigenous-network-5-day-conference-underway-in-australia/