First published on 12/31/2004, and last updated on 06/22/2017
The 7th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP 7), held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2004, adopted the Programme of Work on Protected Areas (PoWPA) (Decision VII/28, Annex). PoWPA is perhaps the most significant international statement of international law on protected areas and was substantially influenced by the preparatory process and outcomes of the 5th World Parks Congress in Durban.
PoWPA formalised the new protected areas paradigm in international law and reflected many of the World Parks Congress’s Recommendations concerning diversity of protected area governance types, equity and rights, including explicit recognition of ICCAs (by then, referred to as indigenous and local community conserved areas). ICCAs are referenced four times in the suggested activities of PoWPA Elements 1 and 2 (see PoWPA Activities 1.1.4, 2.1.3, 2.2.4 and 2.2.7), including (inter alia) as part of national reviews of existing and potential forms of conservation (Activity 1.1.4) and policies and mechanisms for their legal recognition and effective management (Activity 2.1.3).
The areas highlighted in yellow in the CEESP Briefing Note no. 8[HS3] are excerpts from PoWPA most relevant for governance and ICCAs.
All COP 7 Decisions are available online.
