The General Assembly is the association’s highest governance body and is a crucial opportunity to renew and further strengthen our organization
First published on 10/15/2024
By ICCA Consortium
The 20th General Assembly of the ICCA Consortium reviewed critical aspects of the work undertaken in 2023 by the Consortium’s various organs, approved the 2024 Action Plan and Budget, and made important decisions regarding the leadership transition and organizational change process underway.
The membership’s consensus support elected Several Council members for their first terms. The membership had the opportunity to review and approve several reports from the Secretariat, Council, Treasurer, and Auditor of Accounts. Members and Honorary members also participated in a membership engagement event that explored human rights, climate, and biodiversity issues.
The Assembly was held in a semi-staggered approach over four sessions throughout June 2024. More than 230 participants, including representatives of over 80 Member organizations, Honorary members, and members of the Secretariat, joined the General Assembly. For the fifth year, the Consortium held its General Assembly online.
Two sessions were held in the first week of June, followed by an inter-sessional two-week pause, to be resumed in the last week of June. During the four sessions (4 June, 6 June, 25 June, and 27 June), 231 unique participants from 66 countries, including representatives from 88 Member organizations, joined the Assembly.
In addition to Council elections, other vital discussions and decisions of the 20th General Assembly included:
- Noting the 2023 reports of the Council, Membership Committee, Secretariat, Treasurer, and Auditor of Accounts and approving the 2024 – 2028 Strategic Plan and 2024 Action Plan and Budget;
- Appointing Marc Foggin as the Auditor of Accounts and Ombudsperson for the coming year; and
- Brief exchange of experiences about territories of life in coastal and marine systems ahead of UN Oceans Day.
Using Loomio allowed Members and Honorary members to participate in discussions and build consensus during the live online sessions and asynchronously ahead of the Assembly. This tool has helped us provide different participation options for our global membership across time zones and languages.
Council elections
Newly elected council positions are as follows:
Luis Guillermo Izquierdo is the President; Femy Pinto and Lorena Arce are the thematic co-representatives for sustaining territories of life; Khalid Khawaldeh is the regional representative for West and Central Asia and the Caucasus; and Josefina Tunki is the regional representative for the Amazon.
Following the request of several Members and members of the Council of the Elders, the elections for the positions of Vice-President and Secretary of the Council were postponed for ten weeks to allow for regional and inter-regional consultations.
Sara Oliveros, who is ending her three-year mandate as Secretary of the Council, has kindly agreed to continue on an interim basis until the nomination and election of her successor.
Our gratitude to the guardians of the Oceans
It is with great gratitude that we share the beautiful opening ceremony kindly shared by Mohammed Juma from Mwambao Coastal Community Network (ICCA Consortium Member) in Tanzania. Paul Sainge’eu, Regional Coordinator for East Africa, read a traditional prayer poem titled “The Guardians of the Oceans” at the opening of the General Assembly on behalf of the Ujamaa Community Resource Team (ICCA Consortium Member).
“Together, we can turn the tide, empowering and recognizing the community’s role in protecting and preserving our precious marine treasures.”
The Guardians of the Oceans
Oh, Guardians of the Sea and wave
Unite in strength and pace,
For marine territories of harmony and life,
We pledge our hearts, to end our strife.
In waters vast, where wonders lie,
With stories tides and currents to tell,
Our heritage, for both rich and grand,
Label us to safeguard, with every string.
From coral reefs to mangrove trees,
Sandbank, sea grasses and patches,
Ecosystem beauty, pure, and hearts,
It all depends on us, on how we preserve.
Together, let us stand as one,
Until our humble work is done,
With clear wisdom, courage, and bright,
We lead the way and light the night.
For every species, great and small,
We answer nature’s urgent call,
To heal, protect, and cherish the way,
With love and care, as makes our lives lie,
In unity, our big voices rise,
Below the sun and moonlight skies,
For territories with vast and free skies,
We shape the future, for generations to lie,
With every wave, with every tide,
We hold the ocean’s hope, in our inside,
To ICCA GA, we pledge to bring,
As stewards, let our beliefs unhide.
In custodianship, our purpose lies,
To guard, recognize, and benefits
With the blesses duty, we are dedicated,
For marine life, both old and child.
So let our actions be our inner voice,
In conservation, we make our choice,
Together strong, we forge the way,
For thriving oceans, and brighter days.
Oh, creator of the sea and sky,
We gather here with grateful hearts,
To protect the reefs where life lies,
And honor the role each part impacts.
Bless this occasion, with innovations,
With dynamic life and thriving grace,
Guide our race for the ocean’s case,
Protecting this hallowed, healing place.
The ocean roars with fierce delight,
Waves crashing in the dark of night,
A tempest wild, a bleached coral space,
That carves and shapes the water’s course.
But in its wake, we must prepare,
To shield the coast with the utmost care,
Restore the reefs, and protect the shore,
So nature’s balance and cured resilience
With hands united, with sincere hearts,
Local guardians hold the seas dear and clear
Their tireless work, an inspiration bright,
Deserves our support, strength, and light.
Oh, Guardians of the Sea and wave
With hearts united, why not us be,
The champions, of this beauty cause,
With nature’s heartbeat, we find our laws.
Oh, Guardians of the Sea and wave
Unite in strength and peace,
For marine territories of harmony and life,
We pledge our hearts, to end our strife.
Navigating a changing world with Human Rights at the Core
In addition to the formal sessions of the 20th General Assembly, the Consortium held an inter-sessional meeting to engage the membership titled “Navigating a changing world with Human Rights at the Core: Towards a Human Rights-based Approach to Biodiversity and Climate Action and Policies.”
The event was led by Pooven Moodley, an Honorary member and member of the Council (thematic representative for defending territories of life). It hosted presentations from John Knox, former UN special rapporteur on human rights and environmental issues, and Soo Young Hwang, legal officer with the UN Environment Programme. The meeting focused on presenting the latest updates on the Core Human Rights Principles for Conservation Actors.
We thank all Council members, Secretariat, Council of Elders, Members and Honorary Members, and linguistic support volunteers and collaborators for actively participating in the 20th General Assembly.
Once finalized, the minutes of the 20th General Assembly will be published here in English, French, and Spanish.
We will continue to learn from our experience with online General Assemblies and strive to improve accessibility and opportunities for engagement in the association’s highest decision-making body.