About the IUCN Congress

The IUCN World Conservation Congress is where the world comes together to set priorities and drive conservation and sustainable development action. IUCN’s 1400+ government, civil society and indigenous peoples’ Member organisations vote on major issues, action which guides humanity’s relationship with our planet for the decades ahead. IUCN’s unique and inclusive membership gives the Congress a powerful mandate as it is not solely government or non-government, but both together.

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The Congress is also the largest marketplace for conservation and sustainable development science, practice and policy. Scientists, policy experts, business leaders and professionals from around the globe share their experience, innovation and latest research.

  • 8 days
  • 9000+ participants
  • 1300+ interactive sessions
  • 160+ countries represented
  • 100+ motions decided
  • 8 high-level dialogues

Three components of the IUCN Congress

Members’ Assembly 

The Members' Assembly is IUCN’s highest decision-making body. During the Assembly, IUCN’s more than 1300 government, civil society and indigenous peoples’ Member organisations from more than 160 countries vote on pressing conservation and sustainable development issues. IUCN’s unique and inclusive membership gives the Congress a powerful mandate, allowing these decisions to guide humanity’s relationship with our planet for the decades ahead.

Forum

The Forum is the largest knowledge marketplace for conservation and sustainable development science, practice and innovation. Over 600 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.

Exhibition

In the Exhibition, IUCN Members and Commissions, businesses, partners, and academia host pavilions, booths and events. The Exhibition is open to both Congress participants and the general public, allowing exhibitors to showcase their research, innovations and other works to the broadest Congress audience.

 

Outcomes of the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016

The IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016 in Hawaii, USA attracted over 10,000 participants from 180 countries and generated over 21,000 news articles and reached 75 million people on social media. IUCN Members took over 120 decisions on major conservation issues and this, along with the momentum, knowledge and commitments generated at the event, helped move the recently-adopted Paris Climate Agreement and UN Sustainable Development Goals into action. 

Sponsors and Partners

Hosts