Help earthquake affected pastoralist communities in the High Atlas region of Morocco
The semi-nomadic pastoralist communities had built and maintained their territories of life—Agdals, over many generations; now they are left in ruins Read more ▸
Africa
Indigenous youth are leading the movement to live in harmony with nature: Aquilas Koko Ngomo
Aquilas Koko Ngomo is a Policy and Advocacy Co-coordinator for Africa with the ICCA Consortium. In this interview, Mr. Ngomo talks about the role of the Indigenous youth in defending and sustaining their ancestral territories of life. He also reflects on the opportunities for collaboration across societies and generations in the movement to bring large-scale systemic changes to ensure living in harmony. Read more ▸
Third National Assembly of ICCAs – territories of life of Burkina Faso
In November 2022, the National Association of ICCAs of Burkina Faso and NATUDEV organised the 3rd National Assembly of ICCAs of Burkina Faso. We take a look back at a concrete instance of sharing and commitment between local communities and external partners. Read more ▸
In the news: interview with Aquilas Koko Ngomo at the “Journey to the African IPLCs Strategy” workshop
Aquilas Koko Ngomo, Policy and Advocacy Co-coordinator for Africa, ICCA Consortium, speaks to a local TV channel in the backdrop of the “Journey to the African IPLCs Strategy” workshop organized by the Indigenous Movement for Peace Advancement and Conflict Transformation (IMPACT) in Kenya. 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 ▸
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 ▸
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 ▸
AJESH |
AJESH |
Umoja Wildlife Conservancies of Uganda |
Umoja Wildlife Conservancies of Uganda |
Christian Chatelain
Former Technical Advisor for Africa (Until 2024)
Aquilas Koko Ngomo
Former Policy and Advocacy Co-coordinator for Africa (2022-2024, although he is still part of the Secretariat supporting the Central Africa regional coordination team, managed by ANAPAC-RDC and Joseph Itongwa)
UNGA Declaration on the Right to a Clean and Healthy Environment and what this could mean for us in Africa
The UNGA Declaration focuses on tackling the three planetary crisis issues: climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. This blog by Natural Justice illustrates how the Declaration recognizes that these threats are interlinked and need to be collectively resolved to ensure the realization of the right to a clean, sustainable and healthy environment. Read more ▸
New report on implications of COVID-19 and government recovery plans on Indigenous Peoples’ rights and well-being
Published by Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI) in August 2022, the report features analyses of global trends and national experiences from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (overseen by ICCA Consortium Member ANAPAC-RDC), Brazil, India, and the Philippines. Read more ▸
Local diving and ecological monitoring teams bring new hope for marine conservation in Madagascar
Articles illustrate how communities in southwestern Madagascar’s locally managed marine areas have made progress to build their capacity for ecological monitoring and expansion of the marine reserves. These LMMAs are part of the MIHARI Network (ICCA Consortium Member) and are supported by Blue Ventures (ICCA Consortium Member). Read more ▸
New report shows that global funding is failing the grassroots African conservation groups that are key to sustaining nature
A new report produced by Maliasili and Synchronicity Earth demonstrates that complex donor rules and reporting needs shut out smaller organizations and details how making finance simpler and more just will boost conservation impact. Read more ▸
Indigenous and community representatives from Africa condemn historical and continuing injustices in the name of conservation, set out clear demands at regional protected areas congress
On behalf of nearly 150 participants in a pre-Congress workshop co-organised by IMPACT Trust Kenya and the ICCA Consortium, Milka Chepkorir delivered the following speech during the opening plenary of the IUCN Africa Protected Areas Congress on 18 July 2022 in Kigali, Rwanda. Read more ▸
New reports identify how to support environmental and human rights defenders and climate activists who face threats while striving for a healthy planet for all
Over time, environmental human rights defenders and climate activists – including Indigenous Peoples and local communities – have shared their challenges with organisations that offer support and protection against threats. New reports analyse the gaps in communication between defenders, donors and supporting organisations and present recommendations on how best to address them. Read more ▸
Indigenous Ogiek in Kenya celebrate reparations judgment from regional court
In a key moment of a long-running landmark case, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights ruled in favour of the Ogiek people, including by recognising their rights to collective title, to their language, religious and cultural practices, and to consultation for any development or conservation projects on their ancestral lands. Read more ▸
Alert: Maasai in Tanzania are being forcefully evicted from their ancestral lands
Reports from the Maasai community of Loliondo in Ngorongoro District, Tanzania, indicate that people are being forcefully evicted from their ancestral lands and territories, starting on 10 June 2022. The ICCA Consortium strongly condemns this inexcusable violence against the Indigenous Maasai. Read more ▸
