The traditional knowledge indigenous people have about land and natural resources is key to preserving the world’s biodiversity, according to an expert with the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Yon Fernandez de Larrinoa, Global Advocacy Officer on Indigenous Issues with the agency, is in New York for the current session of the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues which concludes this Friday.

He has welcomed this year’s theme which focusses on land rights and tenure.

Mr. Fernandez de Larrinoa told Dianne Penn that indigenous people have an understanding of land ownership which differs from mainstream definitions.