A/71/229 E. Convention on Biological Diversity 30. The Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted in 1992 and, as at 5 July 2016, had gained the widespread support of 196 Parties. 23 The treaty refers to indigenous peoples’ knowledge, innovations and practices for the conservation and customary use of biological diversity. Article 8 (j) of the Convention commits States parties to respect and maintain the knowledge, innovations and pr actices of indigenous and local communities which are relevant for conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity. The Convention, however, fails to contain explicit recognition of the human rights of indigenous peoples. 31. Protected areas are among the cross-cutting issues addressed under the Convention on Biological Diversity. In 2004, the seventh meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention adopted a programme of work on protected areas. It states that the establishment, management and monitoring of protected areas should take place with the full and effective participation of, and full respect for the rights of, indigenous peoples consistent with national law and applicable international obligations. In the programme of work, parties are requested to ensure that any resettlement of indigenous communities as a consequence of the establishment or management of protected areas will only take place with their prior informed consent that may be given according to national legislation and applicable international obligations. 24 In 2014, the Conference of the Parties adopted a decision which highlighted the requirement that protected areas and management regimes must be consensual and participatory if indigenous peoples’ rights are to be respected. It also recognized the contribution of indigenous peoples ’ own conservation initiatives within their territories to the effective conservation of important biodiversity sites. 25 32. In view of the targets set by the parties to the Convention to e xpand protected area coverage to at least 17 per cent of terrestrial and inland water areas and 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas by 2020, the Special Rapporteur stresses that States and conservation organizations need to implement measures to recogn ize the rights of indigenous peoples as a matter of priority. 26 V. Initial conservation practices and their consequences 33. Conservation protected areas were initially established through the expropriation of the lands and territories of indigenous pe oples and local communities. Colonial and post-colonial administrations around the world claimed common land for the State, without regard for the existing rights of traditional ownership and use under customary tenure. Such expropriated land was then allocated to new owners for new uses, such as settlement, exploitation, and conservation. In establishing the first “modern” protected areas in 1872 (Yellowstone National Park), and in 1890 (Yosemite National Park), the Government of the United States of America violently expelled the Native __________________ 23 24 25 26 16-13163 The relevant provisions are articles 8(j), 10(c), 17.2 and 18.4. See UNEP/CBD/COP/DEC/VII/28. See UNEP/CBD/COP/DEC/XII/12. See the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020, Aichi Biodiversity Target 11.See UNEP/CBD/COP/10/INF/12/Rev.1. 13/25