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Acknowledging that Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) hold vast knowledge about coastal-marine ecological systems which is often overlooked in marine/maritime spatial planning (MSP) initiatives, this publication aims to assist MSP practitioners in effectively involving IPLCs and including Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) into MSP processes, while respecting universal human rights and internationally recognised ethical principles. It also seeks to foster co-management practices between governments and Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the development of MSP processes at the local level and to encourage MSP initiatives led by rights-holders inside their ancestral territories.The first section introduces the purposes and objectives of the publication. The second section presents essential international frameworks and ethical principles to be taken into consideration when engaging IPLCs and embracing ILK, including: the ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (1989); the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007); relevant FAO guidelines targeting small-scale fishers and Indigenous Peoples; the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (2015); protocols and frameworks related to the Convention on Biological Diversity; the Agreement under UNCLOS on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (2023); and the UNESCO/UNEP-WCMC Practical Guidelines on working with ILK in National Ecosystem Assessments (2023). The third section outlines effective strategies for engaging IPLCs and including their knowledge systems in coastal and marine planning and management. It introduces fundamental concepts of social-ecological systems and emphasises the critical role of ILK in building social-ecological resilience. This section also suggests methods for including ILK into MSP, presents cases where Indigenous Peoples and local communities have been effectively involved in MSP, and details initiatives that grant IPLCs the authority to manage their customary marine territories. Furthermore, it discusses inclusive approaches to MSP as an opportunity to realise environmental justice in coastal-marine areas. The fourth section offers the final messages drawn from the reviewed literature.An extensive literature review was conducted to inform this publication, encompassing international guidelines, codes of conduct, academic papers, websites, and real-world case studies. Nevertheless, given the complexity of the theme, which involves multiple subjects such as marine spatial planning, marine governance, rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, small-scale fisheries and more, there is a clear understanding that this is an initial exploration and not an exhaustive work. This publication is considered a first, yet an important, exploration of MSP in this context, and revisions will be necessary as discussions continue to evolve. In parallel with this literature review, MSPglobal organised four international dialogues to discuss challenges and good practices related to this topic. Thus, it is highly recommended to read this publication alongside the outcome of these dialogues described in “Engaging Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, and Embracing Indigenous and Local Knowledge in Marine Spatial Planning: Volume 2 – Good Practices”.

Engaging Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, and Embracing Indigenous and Local Knowledge in Marine Spatial Planning. Volume 1 – Basic Concepts

Resource Key: M7A2UUS8

Document Type: Report

Creator:

Author:

  • UNESCO

Creators Name: {mb_resource_zotero_creatorsname}

Place: Paris, France

Institution: UNESCO

Date: 2024

Language: en

Acknowledging that Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs) hold vast knowledge about coastal-marine ecological systems which is often overlooked in marine/maritime spatial planning (MSP) initiatives, this publication aims to assist MSP practitioners in effectively involving IPLCs and including Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) into MSP processes, while respecting universal human rights and internationally recognised ethical principles. It also seeks to foster co-management practices between governments and Indigenous Peoples and local communities in the development of MSP processes at the local level and to encourage MSP initiatives led by rights-holders inside their ancestral territories.The first section introduces the purposes and objectives of the publication. The second section presents essential international frameworks and ethical principles to be taken into consideration when engaging IPLCs and embracing ILK, including: the ILO Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples (1989); the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (2007); relevant FAO guidelines targeting small-scale fishers and Indigenous Peoples; the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (2015); protocols and frameworks related to the Convention on Biological Diversity; the Agreement under UNCLOS on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (2023); and the UNESCO/UNEP-WCMC Practical Guidelines on working with ILK in National Ecosystem Assessments (2023). The third section outlines effective strategies for engaging IPLCs and including their knowledge systems in coastal and marine planning and management. It introduces fundamental concepts of social-ecological systems and emphasises the critical role of ILK in building social-ecological resilience. This section also suggests methods for including ILK into MSP, presents cases where Indigenous Peoples and local communities have been effectively involved in MSP, and details initiatives that grant IPLCs the authority to manage their customary marine territories. Furthermore, it discusses inclusive approaches to MSP as an opportunity to realise environmental justice in coastal-marine areas. The fourth section offers the final messages drawn from the reviewed literature.An extensive literature review was conducted to inform this publication, encompassing international guidelines, codes of conduct, academic papers, websites, and real-world case studies. Nevertheless, given the complexity of the theme, which involves multiple subjects such as marine spatial planning, marine governance, rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, small-scale fisheries and more, there is a clear understanding that this is an initial exploration and not an exhaustive work. This publication is considered a first, yet an important, exploration of MSP in this context, and revisions will be necessary as discussions continue to evolve. In parallel with this literature review, MSPglobal organised four international dialogues to discuss challenges and good practices related to this topic. Thus, it is highly recommended to read this publication alongside the outcome of these dialogues described in “Engaging Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, and Embracing Indigenous and Local Knowledge in Marine Spatial Planning: Volume 2 – Good Practices”.

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