Who We Are

IUCN - The World Conservation Union is an international organization concerned with the protection and sustainable use of the Earth's resources. The Union is a unique partnership of States, Government agencies, and NGOs, representing the world's largest environmental democracy. Since 1948, IUCN has been a convenor, bringing together members and stakeholders to develop and negotiate solutions to environmental and development challenges globally. In many instances, this has led to collective agreements for the benefit of both people and nature. IUCN believes that conservation will succeed where there is capacity to act collectively and where actions are based on the best available scientific information.

IUCN has recently celebrated the admission of its 1000th members of which 75 are States, 109 are government agencies and 792 are NGOs. Furthermore, IUCN has a volunteer network of some 10,000 technical and scientific experts working in six global Commissions: protected areas; species survival; ecosystem management; environmental education and communication; environment, economics and social policy; and environmental law.

IUCN is the only environmental organization to which Member States of the United Nations accorded the status of an Observer at the UN General Assembly. It works closely with international governmental organizations such as the UN agencies and international financial institutions (i.e., the World Bank and regional development banks). It has memoranda of agreement, for example, with the three GEF implementing agencies-UNEP, World Bank and UNDP.

"The IUCN mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable."

What We Do

IUCN works to protect, manage and restore the integrity of nature which is critical to the wellbeing of all. The IUCN Programme is an expression of a collective effort of IUCN members towards achieving IUCN's mission and it is implemented through the IUCN membership, IUCN's six Commissions and its Secretariat. Through its programme, IUCN has been setting standards and guidelines for conservation, applying scientific rigour and innovative leadership for determining the 'threat status' of endangered species, categorizing protected areas, monitoring conservation success and assessing sustainability. The Union's scientific advice underpins many of the international conventions such as the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES), the UNESCO's World Heritage Convention, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance and the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. As a Union, IUCN exists to encourage and support its members-to represent their views on the world stage and to provide them with the concepts, strategies and technical support they need to achieve their goals.

Benefits of IUCN Membership

Influence

IUCN's ever-growing influence is a result of working with its members. The Union, driven by its mission, reflects the diverse needs of its vast membership and its commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of the Earth's resources. Members have the ability to influence and contribute to the decision making on national and global conservation issues and policies by joining the IUCN National Committee in their country.

Platform

IUCN provides a platform and facilitates open debate on important issues of our time. Members become part of a collective and global voice in conservation planning at local, national and regional levels and in the international arena by participating in the Union's World Conservation Congresses and other platforms for discussing conservation issues.

Increased capacity

Members can strengthen their credibility and capacity through their association with a respected conservation alliance of key scientists, decision-makers and managers.

Partnerships and networks

Members are able to develop partnerships by being part of an alliance of governments and NGOs, and global policy and local action. Members also have the possibility to expand their network through international contacts with the Union's 1000 staff, 10,000 experts and other IUCN members, thus sharing their expertise with the global IUCN family.

Information

Drawing on IUCN's scientific knowledge base and expertise from its Commissions, IUCN assists members in the preparation and dissemination of statements on conservation issues. Membership also brings ready access to a global library of conservation knowledge and expertise.

Exclusive Benefits for IUCN state members

While all members access the benefits outlined above, State membership allows for increased and exclusive benefits such as:

Greater influence

State membership carries more weight than Government Agencies and NGOs as State members have more voting power. They enjoy three votes, one of which is shared with its Government Agencies. This is how a state can directly influence IUCN's planning process and help shape the Union's policies, programme and governance. This includes the opportunity to formulate and enforce multilateral agreements. State membership creates an influence which cross-cuts the boundaries of Government Agencies; which is a crucial fact given that conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of natural resources lie within the realm of sectors such as agriculture, forestry, tourism, transport, energy, trade and aid.

Increase capacity through inter-state cooperation

By being a member of IUCN, a State joins a powerful alliance capable of influencing other States that it may not otherwise reach on its own. This helps with one attempts to change the way natural resource management cutting across State borders are managed. For example, no one part of the world can save a migratory species if the habitat of that species is preserved in one country and destroyed in another; no downstream State can prevent the flooding from natural resource misuse by an upstream State.

Good global environmental governance

State membership of an international organization such as IUCN indicates the soundness of the concerned country's foreign policy and confirms the State's commitment to a just world that values and conserves nature, thereby boosting the country's international image.

Admission procedures

Government Agencies, all NGOs and Affiliates

Members under these categories seeking membership of IUCN shall submit an application for admission to the Director General supported by a statement by the duly authorized head of the agency or organization, endorsing the objectives of IUCN.

States

States shall become members of IUCN by notifying the Director General of their adhesion to the IUCN Statutes. The procedures foresee that the notification of adhesion to the Statutes by a State shall be made by, or on behalf, of the Head of State, the Head of Government or the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Furthermore, a State on becoming a member shall designate its liaison with the IUCN Secretariat.

For more information please contact

Head, Membership Relations and Governance Unit.