By Gordon John

17-22 August 2015, Lombok, Indonesia

Four countries participated in the 6-day ICCA workshop that was held in Lombok, Indonesia. Participants consist of representatives from the indigenous community, relevant government agencies, NGOs and national SGP coordinator.

The objective of the workshop is to share knowledge and enhance capacity among key regional actors on promoting and strengthening appropriate recognition of ICCAs and support.

Eight Malaysians participated in the workshop, which consist of three representatives from NGOs (PACOS, LEAP and JOAS), two representatives from government agencies (Sabah Park and Sabah Forest Department), two representatives from the community (Kampung Kiau, Kota Belud and Kampung Sungai Eloi, Pitas) and one representative from the National GEF SGP assistance coordinator.

During the workshop, country representatives presented and discussed on their ICCA situation such as practices, customary territories situation, opportunities and threats on their ICCA, policies that support the ICCA and urgent need and initiatives to fulfill of the ICCA in each country.

Input were also given on the understanding, history and culture related to ICCAs including:

• Customary conservation.
• Comparison between CBNRM and agro-industrial market system
• Conservation types (According to the IUCN):
  + Strict preservation
  + Sustainable use
  + Restoration

A field visit was done at Teluk Jor, East Lombok on community costal management called Awik-Awik. This community protocol was established in the 60’s to overcome the overfishing and also destruction of their mangrove system.

Three main aspects were shared during the field visit:
1) the development of the Awik-Awik protocol
2) women and livelihood
3) mangrove restoration

Malaysia has come up with action plans to recognize the ICCAs in Malaysia. This will be done through the establishment of national and local working/support group on recognizing the ICCA in each states throughout Malaysia and will be coordinated by JOAS as National working group. The working groups will be adviced by an advisory group consisting of academias, government representatives, NGOs representatives.

Within this, there will be three main activities that will be done;
1) capacity building and awareness
2) policies and law
3) Documentation. all the activities will using fundamental values such as SUMUKU (FPIC) and bottom up and participatory approach

Lastly, a plan to establish on joint regional meeting and learning that aims to increase capacity and mutual learning and exchanges at regional level. The themes are:

1. Documenting and mapping
2. Networking/partership with govt. diplomacy with ICCAs
3. Legal recogintion and review of law, policies and rights of IPs
4. ICCAs and sustainable development
5. Restoration planning by communities