UICN - Union internationale pour la conservation de la nature

Former Minister of State for Environment Malik Amin Aslam Khan elected as IUCN Regional Councillor at the IUCN World Conservation Congress at Jeju, South Korea.

13 September 2012 | Article

Former Minister of State for Environment, Mr. Malik Amin Aslam Khan was elected as a Regional Councillor during the IUCN World Conservation Congress taking place in Jeju, Republic of South Korea from 6-15 September 2012.

He has been elected as one of the three Regional Councillors for West Asia. After electing as Regional Councillor he has become a member of the IUCN Council which is the principal governing body of IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Council is responsible for the general control of all affairs of IUCN, subject to the authority of the World Conservation Congress.

Previously, Mr. Javed Jabbar has completed two 4-year terms as a Regional Councillor and IUCN Vice President. During the Congress Mr. Javed Jabbar chaired various sessions of the IUCN Members’ Assembly and also delivered key note speeches in various events.

More than 5,500 delegates are participating in the Congress from all over the world. A delegation of 18 members from Pakistan is actively involved in the Congress proceedings. Member organizations representing in the Congress are: National Conservation for Conservation of Wildlife (NCCW), WWF, SDPI, SUNGI, Indus Earth Trust, Taraqee Foundation, National Institute of Oceanography, Khwendo Kor, Scientific and Cultural Society of Paksitan, Trust for Conservation of Coastal Resources, Baanhn Beli, H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, Shirkat Gah - Womens Resource Centre; Strengthening Participatory Organization; Aga Khan Rural Support Programme ; Haashar Association; Shehri and Citizens for a Better Environment.

In his candidacy speech, Mr. Malik Amin Aslam Khan outlined his vision for IUCN’s future by emphasising the need for IUCN to channel its invaluable resources to enhance its role and revitalise its relevance as an influential global voice for environmental conservation. He warned against stagnating as a body preaching to the converted and also reaching out to influence the neutrals and convincing the antagonists. “The time is appropriate, for IUCN to become the torchbearer for the world that is still searching for a Green Economy”, he added.

During the Congress, Sustainable Development Policy Institute from Pakistan submitted a motion titled: “Legally binding Global Mercury Treaty to protect wildlife, ecosystems and health” in the IUCN Members’ Assembly which was adopted with majority votes. This motion calls on the Director General of the IUCN to work with the IUCN Commissions and membership network to for the promotion of enhanced awareness regarding adverse health effects of mercury exposure and protection of the environment.

For more information, please contact:

• Mr. George Sadiq, Programme Officer, Education Communications and Outreach
email: george.sadiq@iucn.org