International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
As the oldest and largest international organisation for nature conservation, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), founded in 1948, plays a special role among international players in this field. The objectives of IUCN are "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 in a manner that is inclusive and respects human rights" (Part II IUCN Statutes).
Conserving the integrity and diversity of nature
In December 1999, IUCN was given observer status at the United Nations General Assembly. IUCN members comprise countries and governmental and non-governmental organisations active in the area of nature conservation. Germany's members are the Federal Environment Ministry, the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), the Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and 20 German NGOs. Every four years, members come together at the World Conservation Congress (WCC), the organisation's general assembly. The World Protected and Conserved Areas Congress (WPCAC) takes place every ten to twelve years. It develops strategies and goals for protected areas. The next WPCAC is scheduled for 2027.
IUCN activities are implemented through global and regional programmes and six commissions, including the World Commission on Protected Areas and the Species Survival Commission.
IUCN's work is decentralised across a number of regional offices. The IUCN headquarters is in Gland, Switzerland. European activities are coordinated in Bonn. The IUCN Environmental Law Centre was established in Bonn in 1970. IUCN contributes to European policymaking through its office in Brussels where it is officially recognised as an expert body.