Welcome to the National Native Title Council as a new IPO member of IUCN
The IUCN Australian Committee is thrilled to welcome the National Native Title Council (NNTC) as a new Indigenous People's Organisation (IPO) member of IUCN.
This marks an important step in strengthening Indigenous Peoples’ representation and leadership at IUCN in Australia and across Oceania, with the National Native Title Council the second IPO from Australia to become a Member of the Union, and the third in the Oceania region.
IPO membership strengthens the diversity of IUCN’s regional network and reinforces the important role of Indigenous Peoples, their knowledge systems and their longstanding relationships with land, waters and nature in shaping effective and equitable conservation across Australia and Oceania.
About the National Native Title Council
The National Native Title Council is the peak body representing the native title sector and Traditional Owners across Australia. It advocates for the rights and interests of Traditional Owners and supports greater recognition of their enduring connections to Country, land, waters and cultural heritage.
Through its work, NNTC contributes to advancing Indigenous leadership, environmental stewardship, cultural heritage protection and sustainable development. Its membership provides another important platform for Traditional Owner perspectives and experiences to contribute to IUCN’s regional and global conservation network.
Strengthening Indigenous leadership across the IUCN
Together with IUCN Global and the IUCN Oceania Regional Office, we look forward to working alongside NNTC to strengthen collaboration on Indigenous-led conservation, biodiversity, cultural heritage and sustainable development in Australia and across the wider Oceania region.
The addition of the National Native Title Council strengthens the representation of Indigenous Peoples within IUCN and recognises the central role Indigenous communities continue to play as custodians and stewards of lands, waters, biodiversity and cultural heritage.
Across Oceania, Indigenous Peoples have maintained deep relationships with their natural environments over thousands of years. Their knowledge, governance systems, cultural practices and stewardship remain integral to efforts to conserve biodiversity, restore ecosystems and build resilient communities.
The membership of NNTC creates new opportunities to connect Indigenous conservation perspectives and Indigenous-lead experiences from Australia with IUCN Members, Associates, Commissions and partners around the world.
Their admission represents not only an expansion of the IUCN membership network in Australia and Oceania, but also an opportunity to deepen collaboration and ensure that Indigenous voices, perspectives and knowledge continue to help shape conservation approaches for people and nature across the region.
We warmly welcome the National Native Title Council to the Union and look forward to strengthening partnerships that place Indigenous knowledge, rights, leadership and stewardship at the heart of conservation action.
