About the IUCN World Conservation Congress

The IUCN World Conservation Congress is the world’s largest and most important conservation event. Held every four years, it aims to improve how we manage our natural environment for human, social and economic development.

The last World Conservation Congress was held from 6 to 15 September 2012 in Jeju, Republic of Korea.

Leaders from government, the public sector, non-governmental organizations, business, UN agencies and social organizations joined together to discuss, debate and decide solutions for the world’s most pressing environment and development issues.

Effective conservation action cannot be achieved by conservationists alone. The 2012 IUCN World Conservation Congress is the place to put aside differences and work together to provide the means and mechanisms for good environmental governance, engaging all parts of society to share both responsibilities and the benefits of conservation.

The Congress has two main components:

  • the Forum is a hub of public debate bringing together people from all walks of life to discuss the world’s most pressing conservation issues. There are many different types of events you can get involved in to explore the depths of conservation and innovation.
     
  • the Members’ Assembly is IUCN’s highest decision-making body. A unique global environmental parliament, it involves governments and NGOs – large and small, national and international – taking joint decisions.

For 2012, the IUCN World Conservation Congress has adopted a new format, aiming for greater coherence and cross-fertilization between the two parts. Main messages of each day of the Forum are presented to the Assembly the following morning. Forum sessions related to motions presented at the Assembly are also identified.

Congress objectives in relation to IUCN's work programme
 
  • Audience participation at the 2008 IUCN Congress in Barcelona
 
 

 
 
 
 
Download Programme
 
 
Congress Brochure
  • IUCN Congress Brochure