The ICCA Consortium marks its 15th anniversary in 2025. Since its founding, the Consortium has evolved into an international association of Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, and supporting organizations, strengthening the territories of life.

In memory of Dr. Taghi Farvar, a visionary leader of the ICCA Consortium and lifelong advocate for Indigenous peoples and Local Communities, we honor his unwavering commitment to defending the rights of custodians of nature and protecting the planet’s most sacred places. His legacy lives on in the countless lives and landscapes he helped nurture and protect.

This milestone offers a powerful opportunity to reflect on collective achievements, honour the resilience of communities and amplify their voices, and re-energize the global movement for the protection and recognition of territories of life. 

More about our origins

This film was produced by the ICCA Consortium and LifeMosaic, with the generous support of SwedBio and contributions from the Christensen Fund and UNDP GEF SGP (with funding from the Government of Germany).

Sharing power

It’s a publication that explores how governance by Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, and diverse stakeholders can lead to more equitable and effective stewardship of nature. The book highlights real-world examples of shared governance, providing practical tools and inspiring lessons for building partnerships rooted in respect, reciprocity, and justice. By centering community voices and lived experiences, it underscores that sustainable conservation is inseparable from human rights and collective empowerment. 

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Key publications

The ICCA Consortium produces influential publications that document and strengthen the role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in governing and conserving their territories of life. From practical guides to global reports, these works highlight diverse experiences, challenges, and innovations, offering critical knowledge and advocacy tools to support self-determination, rights, and biodiversity conservation.

Territories of life: 2021 report 

It’s a landmark global assessment showcasing the scale, diversity, and resilience of territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. It combines mapping, case studies, and community voices to illustrate how these territories are essential for biodiversity, climate resilience, and cultural survival, while also shedding light on the threats they face.

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Territories of life: 2024 volume

This volume brings together powerful stories, research, and reflections from Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities across the world. It highlights their deep connections with nature, the governance systems that sustain them, and the struggles to defend their lands and waters. Rooted in lived experiences, the book is both a celebration of resilience and a call to action for recognition and support.

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Key milestones and achievements

Since 2008 supporting Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in sustaining their territories of life, the organization has changed and grown significantly, contributing to the growing recognition of and support for Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ rights, roles and contributions in nature conservation – including discourse, law, policy and practice – at global, regional, and national levels.

Territories of life are not just conserved lands. They are lived-in, loved, and governed with care.

– Taghi Farvar

Our journey

The ICCA Consortium is an international, member-based association that emerged from the movement for equity and justice in conservation.