Indigenous Delegation to COP16 in Colombia

We're sending an Indigenous Delegation to the Biodiversity COP16 in Cali, Colombia this October 21 - November 1.

We believe that the most powerful and effective solutions to address climate change and preserve biodiversity require equal partnership with Indigenous leaders.

We believe that Indigenous voices must be included in the conversations where global decisions are made – especially those related to biodiversity and climate goals, and especially because 80% of the world’s remaining biodiversity is on Indigenous land. 

We know that Indigenous traditional spiritual medicine practices hold a special place in the biodiversity conversation – and we want to make sure that international agreements and frameworks reflect that.

We are sending a delegation to COP16 in Cali, Colombia, to carry our message, and work toward the inclusion of Indigenous spiritual medicines as an essential part of the global biodiversity framework. 

We are incredibly proud that a panel between the IMC Fund and UMIYAC, “The role of spirituality in the processes of governance and territorial defense,” will be included in the Green Zone at COP-16 in Cali, Colombia in October. 

Help us get there!! We’re raising $10,000 specifically to get Indigenous Traditional Spiritual Medicines on the Biodiversity Agenda.  

More about COP16

The Kunming-Montreal Framework is a global agreement to preserve biodiversity and protect remaining ecosystems, with specific goals by 2030 and 2050. 

“The vision of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework is a world of living in harmony with nature where by 2050, biodiversity is valued, conserved, restored and wisely used, maintaining ecosystem services, sustaining a healthy planet and delivering benefits essential for all people….It will place biodiversity, its conservation, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources, at the heart of the sustainable development agenda, recognizing the important linkages between biological and cultural diversity.”

“The Framework acknowledges the important roles and contributions of indigenous peoples and local communities as custodians of biodiversity and as partners in its conservation, restoration and sustainable use. The Framework’s implementation must ensure that the rights, knowledge, including traditional knowledge associated with biodiversity, innovations, worldviews, values and practices of indigenous peoples and local communities are respected, and documented and preserved with their free, prior and informed consent, including through their full and effective participation in decision-making.”

The theme that Colombia, the host country, chose for COP 16 is “Peace with nature”.

The meetings will focus on progress in implementing the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (The Biodiversity Plan), unanimously adopted by the 196 Parties to the CBD in December 2022. The Biodiversity Plan includes 23 action targets for 2030 towards four long-term goals for 2050 to halt and reverse the dangerous, ongoing loss of biodiversity.

Join Us

Indigenous Traditional Spiritual Medicines can hold a key place in shaping and guiding biodiversity conservation, but only if they get included in the conversation. 

Your support is critical. Together we will ensure medicine abundance. Supporting Indigenous traditional knowledge is a crucial nexus solution with incredibly high impact. We are collectively addressing the healing potential of this time, focusing on mental health, climate solutions, creating equity and balance across communities, and reducing trauma from ongoing violence. 

Join us in ensuring a thriving future for Indigenous medicines. 

As a bonus, all donations can link with our 3rd Birthday Campaign, where we'll gift you back for eligible donations.