What is the IUCN?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership Union comprising both government and non-government organisations. Established in 1948, IUCN is now the world’s oldest and most diverse global environmental network harnessing the knowledge, resources and reach of more than 1,400 member organisations and the input of almost 18,000 volunteer experts.
The IUCN differs from other international forums in that its membership includes 197 States and government agencies, 1097 national and international NGOs, 19 indigenous organisations and 42 affiliate organisations.
IUCN World Conservation Congress
The World Conservation Congress is IUCN’s highest decision making body and meets every four years. The Congress brings together several thousand leaders and decision-makers from government, civil society, Indigenous peoples, business, and academia with the goal of conserving the environment and harnessing the solutions nature offers to global challenges. The Australian Government, as a member of the IUCN, takes part in World Conservation Congress meetings.
- 2021: IUCN World Conservation Congress - Marseille, France
- 2016: IUCN World Conservation Congress – Hawai’i
- 2012: IUCN World Conservation Congress – Jeju, Republic of Korea
The Australian Committee for IUCN
The Australian Committee for IUCN Inc. provides a forum for Australian member organisations of IUCN and organisations with primary interests or responsibilities in nature conservation to come together in an equal and constructive partnership to exchange information and views and, through consensus, to develop policy advice, publications and actions to promote IUCNs global mission.