Neighbors join forces to defend their territories of life in Malaysia
The Penan and the Kenyah Indigenous Peoples in Northern Sarawak, the Malaysian state of Borneo, work together on sustaining and nurturing their territories of life. Read more ▸
World
P. V. Satheesh: a quiet revolutionary walks on
P.V. Satheesh—the quiet revolutionary who helped transform the lives of Dalit women farmers in India—passed away on March 19, 2023. He was 77. The founder of the Deccan Development Society worked for agro-biodiversity, food sovereignty, women’s empowerment, Dalit rights, social justice, and local knowledge systems. Read more ▸
In Nicaragua, settlers burn Wilú Indigenous community, leaving five dead and two injured
On March 11, 2023, settlers (colonos) massacred at least five Indigenous Mayangna people in the community of Wilú, Mayangna Sauni As territory. Read more ▸
The natural and cultural heritage of the High Atlas on display at the 2022 edition of the Biocultural Festival in Morocco
In July 2022, the Biocultural Festival of Morocco, organized by the Moroccan Biodiversity and Livelihoods Association (MBLA, ICCA Consortium Member), focused on sustaining territories of life and preserving farmers’ seeds and traditional culinary knowledge. It also emphasized semi-nomadic pastoralists and the Agdals’ contributions to biodiversity conservation. Read more ▸
Second Regional Assembly of African ICCAs—territories of life brings together representatives from across the continent in 2022
The meeting was held on July 14 and 15, 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda Read more ▸
Our fight for the forest – the future of Indigenous territories in the wake of the Myanmar coup
Forests in Indigenous territories in Myanmar face an uncertain future. The military has targeted environmental defenders for their work protecting their lands from theft and destruction by military-run companies and their cronies. Read more ▸
Two ICCA Consortium Members and an Honorary member have been recognized by the Paul K. Feyerabend Foundation in 2022
The 2022 Paul K. Feyerabend Awards recognize the work of Indigenous leader Josefina Tunki and human rights advocate Anuradha Mittal. Consortium Member NADA from Gambia was also awarded a grant in the same year. Read more ▸
Recap of “Rangelands and pastoralism: towards a global initiative for pastoralists’ territories of life” workshop
A future global initiative hosted by the ICCA Consortium must critically address the realization of pastoral communities’ collective rights to their territories and relevant common resources. Read more ▸
The mobile version of the self-strengthening guidance is now available in Mandarin, Spanish and French
We plan to launch Portuguese, Swahili, Russian, and Hindi translations of the self-strengthening guidance later in 2023. Read more ▸
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework takes important steps for social and environmental justice
After years of negotiations and many COVID-induced delays, Indigenous Peoples and local communities successfully advocated for key forms of recognition, marking a new minimum standard in the UN Convention on Biological Diversity. The ICCA Consortium’s international policy team provides an initial analysis of the key outcomes of COP15. Read more ▸
The territories of life in Latin America face significant challenges: Diagnosis of the 3rd Regional Assembly
In the Assembly that took place in Costa Rica, the representatives identified the main threats to the Territories of Life in the region. Likewise, they identified possible solutions and hopes for the future. Read more ▸
Representatives of territories of life from fourteen countries of Latin America met at the 3rd Regional Assembly
The Regional Assembly was held from January 25 to 27, 2023, in Garabito, Costa Rica. Sixty-two representatives met to propose strategies related to the territories of life in the region. Read more ▸
New report on territories of life in Southeast Asia out now
The publication “Celebrating Territories of Life in Southeast Asia” by the ICCA Consortium features stories of Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ territories of life. It highlights the region’s traditional knowledge and governance systems and sustainable livelihood practices. Read more ▸
First regional assembly of ICCA Consortium East Austronesia and the Pacific Islands
The first regional assembly of ICCA Consortium Members in East Austronesia and the Pacific Islands helped make significant progress in the movement for the Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ territories of life in the region as the Members built consensus on common strategic direction and plans. The three-day assembly was held via Zoom from May 26 to 28, 2022. Read more ▸
Self-strengthening workshops in Bétynti and Moundé territories of life in Senegal
Workshops like these are laying the foundation for a strong network of ICCAs–territories of life throughout Senegal and Africa by supporting and strengthening the territories at the local level. Read more ▸
Welcoming new Members and Honorary members to the Consortium
As of 26 October 2022, the current ICCA Consortium membership (including Member organisations and Honorary members) are invited and encouraged to review the following Member applications and Honorary member nominations received in this second membership round of 2022. Any comments are welcome by 26 November 2022. Read more ▸
Local Indigenous solutions to global challenges: A statement by the Indigenous delegation from Burma/Myanmar to COP15
The success of Indigenous solutions to pressing conservation challenges in Burma/Myanmar is well-known despite the insurmountable violence and hardships that Indigenous Peoples face in the country. Read more ▸
Direct biodiversity financing to Indigenous Peoples and local communities should be a priority
Opinion: All donors—governments and private charities—should remove procedural barriers against direct funding to Indigenous People and local community organizations. Read more ▸
Alert: In Gabon, Massaha community denounces the government’s attempts to circumvent Minister’s commitment to secure their sacred forest
The long-awaited Kunming-Montreal global biodiversity framework – just adopted in December 2022 – explicitly recognizes the territories and rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. This new international instrument further bolsters previous Gabonese government commitments to protect the sacred forest of the community of Massaha. However, the government has yet to follow through on these promises, leaving the community searching for answers amidst conflicting messages. The ICCA Consortium reiterates our solidarity with the Massaha community and calls on the government of Gabon to live up to its laudable commitments. Read more ▸
Ameyali Ramos
Former International Policy Coordinator (2020-2022)
