

Recap of 2022 UN Ocean Conference: the power of collective action and community resilience in the face of local-to-global challenges
The 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from June 27 to July 1, 2022. The ICCA Consortium and several Members and community partners from twelve island and coastal countries attended the conference. Together, we highlighted the self-determined priorities of Indigenous and community custodians of island, coastal and marine territories of life, and of artisanal and small-scale fishers, in a conference that was otherwise focused on status quo approaches to ocean conservation and economic priorities. Read more ▸
Indigenous fisheries and agriculture in Pongso no Tao coastal and marine territory of life
“Our world order and community rules are based on the all-species harmony. Our communities are embedded in the all-species habitats as the custodians and connected to all beings.’’ 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 ▸
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 ▸
Reflections and a call for dialogue from the ICCA Consortium’s Council
“When you take care of the land, the land takes care of you.” In diverse contexts around the world, Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’… Read more “Reflections and a call for dialogue from the ICCA Consortium’s Council” ▸
Conflict, oppression, and Indigenous territories of life: local solutions to global challenges in Burma
On December 10, 2022, at the UN Biodiversity Summit, CBD COP15, a delegation of Indigenous leaders from Burma will speak about the successes of Indigenous solutions to pressing conservation challenges despite the insurmountable violence and hardships that indigenous peoples in Burma face. Read more ▸
ICCA Consortium Position Paper on target 3 of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
ICCA Consortium Position Paper: Ensuring and enabling recognition and support for territories of life in the language and implementation of target 3 and broader Global Biodiversity Framework. Read more ▸
A Rights-based Path for People and Planet
The fourth paper of the series by “Human Rights and Biodiversity Working Group” highlights what it takes to integrate a human rights-based approach in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework and how it can be done during the UN Biodiversity Summit COP15. Read more ▸
Pre-CoP15 dialogue initiates north-south collaboration on Indigenous and community leadership in conservation
Indigenous and community leaders from North America and the global South come together to build relations and strengthen a global solidarity movement around Indigenous and community-led responses to the global biodiversity and climate crises. Read more ▸
Dialogue on Indigenous and community leadership in conservation: Enhancing North–South collaboration for the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
On December 6, Rights and Resources Imitative, the Conservation through Reconciliation Partnership (CRP), and the ICCA Consortium—in partnership with the Canadian Research Chair in Human Rights, Health, and the Environment, Montreal International and the Christensen Fund—will co-host a pre-COP15 dialogue on Indigenous and community leadership in conservation. Read more ▸
ICCA Consortium Southeast Asia meets in person for the 4th regional assembly
After two years of online-only meetings, the ICCA Consortium Southeast Asia Regional Assembly gathered in Chiang Mai, Thailand, in October. Read more ▸
Invitation to the virtual workshop on “rangelands and pastoralism: towards a global initiative for pastoralists’ territories of life”
ICCA Consortium, in collaboration with UNDP’s Global Support Initiative for ICCAs (GSI), the GEF Small Grants Programme, and the International Support Group for the IYRP, is pleased to announce a second virtual workshop on this topic. The overall aim of the workshop is to initiate a collaborative global initiative that is deeply supportive of pastoralists’ territories of life and their self-determined priorities and plans. Read more ▸
Dana+20 manifesto renews call to recognize and respect the rights of Mobile Peoples
The manifesto is a call to action for governments, conservationists, businesses, and other stakeholders and duty-bearers to recognize and respect the rights of Mobile Peoples and to deepen mutual understanding about the place of mobile ways of life in the future of our world. It was issued after a four-day meeting on the 20th anniversary of the Dana Declaration on Mobile Peoples and Conservation. Read more ▸
Key ICCA Consortium events at COP15
Side events at the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Read more ▸
The Journey to COP15
Learn more about our engagement in the official post-2020 process through the updates below, starting with the most recent. Read more ▸
What are we advocating for in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework?
The ICCA Consortium has advocated for several critical issues in the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. Learn more about these issues through reports, resources, blogs, and news from our membership and allies worldwide. Read more ▸
Perspectives and experiences of Indigenous Peoples, local communities and their organizations and allies in the global movement for territories of life
Learn more about the diverse perspectives and experiences of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, as well as their supporting organizations and allies, on key issues concerning their territories of life and in the context of the post-2020 global biodiversity framework. Read more ▸
The evidence base for a human rights-based global biodiversity framework
Territories of Life: 2021 Report shows the undeniable role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in ensuring a healthy planet for all and the urgent actions required to support them Read more ▸