About the International Union for the Conservation of Nature
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is an international organisation dedicated to natural resource conservation, which brings together states, government agencies and international and national non-governmental organisations. It helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environmental and development challenges.
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Founded in 1948, IUCN is located near Geneva, Switzerland. The Union brings together 86 states, 120 government agencies, 825 national and 92 international non-governmental organisations, 34 affiliate organisations and through its Commissions about 11,000 experts and scientists from more than 160 countries around the world.
IUCN's mission is 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. The Union has three components: its member organisations, its six scientific commissions, and its professional secretariat.
IUCN is the only environmental organisation to official observer status at the United Nations General Assembly.
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