Highlights from the 7th ICCA Consortium Southeast Asia Regional Assembly

First published on 08/18/2026

ICCA Consortium

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Hosted by PanNature, the three-day gathering unfolded under the theme “Strengthening Territories of Life through Solidarity, Recognition, and Community-Led Action.” The Assembly opened with a warm welcome from PanNature and the ICCA Consortium Southeast Asia Council Chair, Paul Sein Twa, followed by a vibrant cultural performance and a presentation introducing delegates to the landscapes, history, and people of Van Ho.

From there, the Assembly moved into work, starting with a report from outgoing Regional Coordinator Asami Segundo reviewing highlights from 2025, followed by a learning session led by Regional Advocacy Coordinator Cindy Julianty on key issues related to the negotiations in the 17^th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

A significant part of the day was also devoted to country breakout sessions to discuss policy opportunities and challenges in each member country, including any potential technical and logistical support needed for COP17. The day ended with a welcome dinner at A Chu Homestay.

Day 2 balanced fieldwork with knowledge exchange. The morning began with an optional trek into the Van Ho forest, home to the endangered Northern White-cheeked Gibbon. This was followed by the morning session “Sharing Lessons from Vietnam,” where six community-based organizations showcased locally led conservation in action:

• CEGORN presented on applying Indigenous knowledge to community development and natural resource management.
• CCD shared its experience building community-based tourism around natural and cultural assets.
• Hatinh Langur Cooperative described community efforts to protect the rare Hatinh Langur in Quang Tri.
• Xuan Nha Bamboo Shoot Cooperative highlighted the role of women in driving local socio-economic development.
• Hai Ha Medicinal Herbs Cooperative spoke to strengthening community roles in biodiversity conservation around Nui Na.
• NTFP-EP Vietnam detailed the Lung bamboo value chain within the Thai community.

The stories from Vietnam inspired rich dialogue on what community empowerment and sustainable stewardship look like in practice and how locally led actions sustain territories of life.

The day closed with cultural immersion into Hmong heritage, as participants tried their hand at traditional papermaking and joined in making bánh dày, a traditional rice cake. The experiential activities instilled a deeper appreciation of the culture of the Hmong People and served as a reminder that conservation work in this region is ensured by harmony between nature, peoples, and their culture.

The final day focused on the Assembly’s own governance and future. Delegates received the final report from the outgoing Regional Chairperson, Paul Sein Twa, and formally inducted a new ICCA Southeast Asia Regional Council to guide the Consortium forward.

Congratulations are due to the incoming Regional Council:

• Chair: Celine Lim Unyang (Malaysia)
• Vice-Chair: Saw Franki (Myanmar)
• Documenting (Thematic Lead): Amalia Maling (Philippines)
• Sustaining (Thematic Lead): Samban Anak Tugang (Malaysia)
• Defending (Thematic Lead): Ayut Angeliah Entoh (Indonesia)
• Youth Representative: Dayang Ukau Dayang (Malaysia)

They are joined by newly confirmed Country Council Representatives:

• Indonesia: Cindy Julianty
• Philippines: Jevie Barot
• Timor-Leste: Emerensiana Nipu
• Malaysia: Celine Lim
• Vietnam: Nguyen Thi Phuong Dung
• Myanmar: Saw Franki
• Cambodia: Mong Vichet

Their leadership will help steer the network’s priorities in the years ahead.

Newly inducted representatives gave remarks and expressed their commitment to their roles.

The country reports offered a candid look at both the achievements and ongoing challenges of ICCA Consortium’s work across Southeast Asia.

The day’s business meeting also covered a full agenda: country report updates covering achievements, challenges, and lessons learned on ICCA Consortium’s work, incoming projects, resource mobilization, membership matters, discussions and views on the emerging megaregion concept, and conversations on the Regional Hub’s term and roles, helping chart a clearer path forward for the network’s future.

The day included a visit to PanNature’s field office, giving delegates a firsthand look at community-led conservation operations. The day concluded with a dinner followed by the Solidarity Night tradition, featuring performances from local artists and guests. It was a joyful finale celebrating the connections that unite Indigenous Peoples, Local Communities, and their allies across the region.

The evening also included a heartfelt program recognizing outgoing leaders and staff for their years of service: outgoing Council members Paul Sein Twa and Trinh Thi Nguyen, along with outgoing Secretariat members Asami Segundo (Regional Coordinator) and Berns del Castillo (Program Assistant). NTFP-EP, the network’s Regional Hub, announced that a call will be issued to fill up the vacated Regional Coordinator and Program Assistant positions internally first, before extending the search externally.

The 7th ICCA Consortium Southeast Asia Regional Assembly reaffirmed that shared purpose and values continue to strengthen the network in its collective journey of promoting appropriate recognition of and support for territories of life at local, national, and international levels. As the newly inducted Regional Council takes up its mandate, the network carries forward the momentum from Van Ho into a pivotal period ahead, including preparations for COP17 and the next chapter of regional collaboration.

Warm congratulations to the new Regional Council, and huge thanks to PanNature and the Van Ho community for hosting, and the NTFP-EP team for organizing an Assembly rich in learning, culture, and solidarity.