Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity and its contribution to sustainable development A/RES/67/212 Recalling the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples,9 Recalling also that the objectives of the Convention, to be pursued in accordance with its relevant provisions, are 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, including by appropriate access to genetic resources and by appropriate transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights over those resources and to those technologies, and by appropriate funding, Reaffirming the intrinsic value of biological diversity as well as the ecological, genetic, social, economic, scientific, educational, cultural, recreational and aesthetic values of biological diversity and its critical role in maintaining ecosystems that provide essential services, which are critical foundations for sustainable development and human well-being, Recognizing that the achievement of the three objectives of the Convention is crucial for sustainable development, poverty eradication and the improvement of human well-being and a major factor underpinning the achievement of the internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals, Reaffirming that, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and the principles of international law, States have the sovereign right to exploit their own resources pursuant to their own environmental policies and the responsibility to ensure that activities within their jurisdiction or control do not cause damage to the environment of other States or of areas beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, Recalling that, in its resolution 65/161, the General Assembly declared the decade 2011–2020 the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, with a view to contributing to the implementation of the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020, 10 Recognizing that the traditional knowledge, innovations and practices of indigenous and local communities make an important contribution to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and that their wider application can support social well-being and sustainable livelihoods, Taking note of decision XI/14 adopted by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention at its eleventh meeting, 11 in which the parties, noting the recommendations contained in paragraphs 26 and 27 of the report of the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues on its tenth session, 12 requested the Ad Hoc Openended Intersessional Working Group on Article 8 (j) and Related Provisions, taking into account submissions by parties, other Governments, relevant stakeholders and indigenous and local communities, to consider this matter and all its implications for the Convention and the parties, at its next meeting, for further consideration by the Conference of the Parties at its twelfth meeting, Noting the adoption by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention, at its tenth meeting, of the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits Arising from Their Utilization to the Convention _______________ 9 Resolution 61/295, annex. See United Nations Environment Programme, document UNEP/CBD/COP/10/27, annex, decision X/2. 11 See United Nations Environment Programme, document UNEP/CBD/COP/11/35, annex I. 12 Official Records of the Economic and Social Council, 2011, Supplement No. 23 and corrigendum (E/2011/43 and Corr.1). 10 2/6