Free, prior, and informed consent, local officials, and changing biodiversity governance in Hin Nam No, Laos

A study on Hin Nam No National Park, Laos, reveals that mediation by local officials in comanagement contexts can effectively address community grievances and reconcile conservation with development. This process, rooted in free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC), demonstrates the potential for localized consent mechanisms to shape rights-based outcomes when local officials act as critical duty-bearers. The research highlights the importance of nonconfrontational dialogue spaces where rights holders can voice concerns and duty-bearers can respond, ultimately contributing to more equitable biodiversity governance in prospective World Heritage Sites.

Larsen, P. B., & Chanthavisouk, C. (2024). Free, prior, and informed consent, local officials, and changing biodiversity governance in Hin Nam No, Laos. Conservation Biology, 38(6). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14388