From October 25 to 30, 2025, Association Tinhinan took part, in Panama, in the first meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Article 8(j) and other provisions of the Convention on Biological Diversity related to Indigenous peoples and local communities (SB8J-1).

We took part in the work of this new body, alongside Indigenous representatives from the seven socio-cultural regions, partners of the Ârramăt project, and several international organizations. Our president, Dr. Mariam Wallet Aboubakrine, highlighted the essential role of traditional knowledge and Indigenous women’s leadership in preserving biodiversity. During a plenary session, she presented the Ârramăt project’s funding model, showing how mechanisms designed with Indigenous peoples can better respond to their priorities and support their biodiversity initiatives.

We also co-organized an exhibition bringing together 22 photovoice stories from research conducted by Indigenous peoples as part of the Ârramăt project. These visual narratives highlight the close links between the health of biodiversity and the well-being of people and communities.

As part of this exhibition, we presented a photovoice piece dedicated to our research project “Tadjasst en Timussnawen tin essehet: documenting knowledge related to health and well-being to preserve it.” Co-led by Dr. Mariam Wallet Aboubakrine and Kel Tamasheq communities from Algeria, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, this project aims to document, transmit, and preserve knowledge related to health and well-being.

This participation reflects Tinhinan’s commitment to inclusive, equitable, and sustainable biodiversity governance grounded in the recognition of Indigenous peoples’ rights, knowledge, and leadership.