Experts argue that the implementation of the High Seas Treaty will succeed only if it actively includes indigenous voices in the decision-making processes.
The High Seas Treaty has recently come into effect, yet its successful implementation hinges on the genuine inclusion of indigenous peoples in discussions and decisions about marine governance. Experts monitoring the negotiations assert that indigenous knowledge should not merely inform decisions but fundamentally shape them. Ghazali Ohorella, co-chair of the International Indigenous Peoples Forum on Climate Change, emphasizes that this knowledge is embedded with governance, responsibilities, protocols, relationships, and methods for managing human interaction with the ocean.
Ohorella, a member of the Alifuru people from the Maluku Islands in Indonesia, highlights the necessity for indigenous communities to be involved from the outset of negotiations, particularly in moments where critical technical and political choices are made. He argues that indigenous knowledge must be respected and integrated rather than treated as an ancillary resource. This approach underlines the importance of strengthening indigenous representation and influence within global environmental agreements.
The call for a more inclusive dialogue is reflective of broader trends in international relations, where the perspectives of marginalized communities are slowly gaining recognition. As the world grapples with climate change and marine conservation, the integration of indigenous voices could pave the way for more sustainable and equitable governance of ocean resources, ultimately benefiting both the indigenous communities and global ecological health.
