Declaration on the Role of Sacred Natural Sites and Cultural Landscapes in the Conservation of Biological and Cultural Diversity

A call to governments, authorities and non-governmental organizations to observe:

1. The UNESCO/IUCN Guidelines for the Conservation and Management of Sacred Natural Sites;

2. The CBD Akwé: Kon Voluntary Guidelines for the Conduct of Cultural, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Regarding Developments Proposed to Take Place on, or which are Likely to Impact on, Sacred Sites and on Lands and Waters Traditionally Occupied or Used by Indigenous and Local Communities, from the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity

3. The Yamato Declaration on Integrated Approaches for Safeguarding Tangible and Intangible Cultural Heritage.

And a further call to these authorities to support and promote the role of indigenous peoples and local communities as custodians of sacred natural sites and cultural landscapes, through the rights-based approach, in order to contribute to their well-being and to the conservation of cultural and biological diversity of such sites and landscapes.