About IUCN and the IUCN World Conservation Congress

IUCN is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organisations. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,300 Member organisations and the input of more than 10,000 experts. IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.

As IUCN’s flagship event, the Congress attracts thousands of participants from across the world. The event has two components – the Forum and the Members’ Assembly. The Forum is the largest knowledge marketplace for conservation and sustainable development science, practice and innovation. Over 1000 sessions address the economic, social, scientific and technical aspects of issues ranging from wildlife to oceans, protected areas to sustainable business, and climate change to human rights.

During the Members’ Assembly, IUCN’s 1,300+ Member organisations collectively decide on actions to address the most pressing and often controversial conservation and sustainable development challenges. IUCN’s membership includes some of the most influential government and civil society organisations from more than 160 countries, giving the decisions taken at the IUCN Congress a powerful mandate.