Advocacy

Article 26 – United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples

The UNDRIP is the comprehensive framework of human rights for Indigenous Peoples. UNDRIP a rms the rights of Indigenous Peoples as peoples equal to all other peoples and bearing the right to be different and respected as such.

ACRRA particularly holds fast to Article 26 of UNDRIP confirming – “Indigenous peoples have the right to the lands, territories and resources which they have traditionally owned, occupied or otherwise used or acquired. Indigenous peoples have the right to own, use, develop and control the lands, territories and resources that they possess by reason of traditional ownership or other traditional occupation or use, as well as those which they have otherwise acquired. States shall give legal recognition and protection to these lands, territories and resources.

Such recognition shall be conducted with due respect to the customs, traditions and land tenure systems.”

Article 10 – Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

The CBD is the international legal instrument for “the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources.

ACRRA’s work particularly aligns Article 10 of the CBD which calls for states to promote the sustainable use of components of biological diversity. Party states to the CBD are called to “Protect and encourage customary use of biological resources in accordance with traditional cultural practices that are compatible with conservation or sustainable use requirements;”. ACRRA’s work aims to contribute to the achievement of the goals of this instrument by promoting the sustainable use of flora, fauna, fisheries and critical minerals in southern Africa

Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

The Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and provides a pathway to reach the global vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050. The Framework includes four long-term goals to 2050 and 23 action-oriented targets to be achieved by 2030.

Our focus is on the targets relating to the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity, particularly Target 3 (effective conservation and management of at least 30% of land, inland waters, and oceans by 2030), Target 5 (ensuring sustainable, safe, and legal use of wild species), and Target 9 (sustainable management and use of wild species for the benefit of people, including livelihoods and cultural practices).

Paris Agreement – UN Framework Convention on Climate Change

The UNFCCC encourages global action on climate and ecological stewardship. ACRRA’s contribution to the fight to address the adverse effects on climate change is in our advocacy for the biocultural rights for Indigenous Peoples.

ACRRA sees the restoration of the ethic of stewardship of natural resources between Indigenous people and the environment as a key measure to contribute to the halting biodiversity loss.