Declaration of ICCA
Declaration and demarcation of the agreed area as an ICCA. The declaration is an important ceremony of the community, which involves the participation of all community members, representatives from government agencies and local governments, and other outside organizations who can potentially support the ICCA, and who have important roles to play in respecting the desire and land use of the community as specified in the plan. The ICCAs established and the accompanying documentation or case study are then submitted to the UNEP WCMC Global Registry of ICCAs for registration in the international database. The declaration and the registration effectively confers formal recognition of the community's ICCAs.
A fully empowered community, well aware of their resources and committed to conservation and preservation of traditional values and culture is essential to the community declaration process. Recognition by other indigenous peoples of the ICCA is essential to ensure there is respect and support to the implementation of community conservation plans.
Settlement of tribal conflicts, respect for IP rights is essential for full recognition of the ICCA declared ICCAs. The ICCA Declaration can be an effective instrument for garnering support and commitment by potential partners towards strengthening of community capacities to sustain their ICCAs.