10,000 people, 5,000 conservation experts from 153 countries, 600 events and many more.

Message from Julia Marton-Lefèvre

  
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
  
It is an emotional moment to see the IUCN World Conservation Congress draw to a close. These were 10 intensive days packed with a multitude of inspiring, thought-provoking Forum sessions and important debates at the Members’ Assembly that will set the course for global conservation for the coming years. 
Every day, I saw the Convention Center abuzz with the energy of thousands of delegates brought together by our amazingly diverse Union. Once again, I can say without hesitation how proud I am to be a part of IUCN.  
There are no Congresses quite like ours, and the challenges of organizing this huge and complex event are definitely offset by the immense rewards of seeing the whole Union come together.   
It has been such a thrill to see you all here together in one place and a great pleasure to work with our Korean partners. I know how much effort they put into hosting our Congress. Thank you so much for having gathered here, in Jeju, and for showing such commitment to IUCN and our shared vision.
    
Kamsa hamnida!
  
Julia Marton-Lefèvre
IUCN Director General

IUCN Members elected their new President this week at IUCN’s World Conservation Congress in Jeju Island, Korea. Mr Zhang Xinsheng of China will lead the world’s largest environmental organization for the next four years. He succeeds Ashok Khosla, who successfully represented IUCN since the last Congress held in Barcelona. The newly-elect President of IUCN speaks about his hopes and plans for the future.

Charting IUCN’s course for the next four years

Today, at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, the Members Assembly approved the new IUCN Programme for the next four years, effectively defining where the Union's efforts will be directed in the coming years.

Nature+: Towards a New Era of Conservation, Sustainability and Nature-based Solutions

Jeju Declaration by the IUCN President, the Minister of Environment of the Republic of Korea, the Governor of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and the Chairman of the Korean Organizing Committee on the occasion of the IUCN World Conservation Congress, September 2012

Green gets gold at Nature’s Olympics

Jeju Island, Republic of Korea, 15 September 2012 (IUCN) – As economic difficulties continue to dominate international debate, IUCN’s World Conservation Congress has put nature back centre stage in the quest to recover our natural assets and use nature to solve a growing list of economic and social issues.

Gangjeong in focus

The residents of the Gangjeong village have been coming to the congress to get their voices heard. As the congress comes to a close today, it has provided a platform for several events, debates and dialogue to create better understanding on the issue of the construction of the naval base.

Stories and interviews

Today's top tweets

@IUCN: “The world faces extremely critical #environmental challenges” President Zhang Xinsheng “we must look deeper than the symptoms” #IUCN2012
@pdjmoo: Sad to see #IUCN2012 come to an end. One of the most exhilarating, inspiring 10 days of my life. Thank You (live at ustre.am/NAfQ)
@IUCN: Motion 65 on protecting the Great Barrier Reef #WorldHeritage area has just been approved #IUCN2012
@IUCN: Now discussing motion 181 "Protection of the People, Nature, Culture and Heritage of #Gangjeong Village" #iucn2012
@Freelandpeople: Bear farming officially recognized as a threat to Asia's wild #bear populations. Phase out resolutions agreed bit.ly/Onybt4 #IUCN2012