Human survival and prosperity depend on a strong and resilient natural infrastructure, one that responds and adapts effectively to change. Nature is inherently strong but centuries of unsustainable human activity has undermined our environment and nature’s ability to support our lives, our well-being and our economies.

The 2012 Congress slogan is Nature+, capturing the importance of nature and its inextricable links to every aspect of our lives. Nature+ is about boosting the resilience of nature in a fast-changing and uncertain world—improving how quickly nature and people can adapt to change.
Addressing global challenges

The Congress will show how securing a healthy natural world is critical to solving many of our most pressing challenges. Nature+climate; nature+livelihoods; nature+energy; nature+economics—these are just some of the issues that the event will address.

The IUCN Congress is where the world comes together to make the commitments, plans and actions to make nature stronger and drive real and lasting change on a global scale. It builds on concrete conservation results from all over the world, bringing together people and plans inside and outside IUCN to decide what the future of conservation should look like.

Building momentum

Throughout 2011, IUCN’s regional offices have been busy preparing for the Congress by holding Regional Conservation Fora which debate the most critical issues facing each region and how best to address them. These events help shape regional environmental agendas which will feed into global discussions at next year’s Congress. They act as a platform for IUCN Member organizations and partners to exchange experiences and best practice on nature conservation, and help pave the way for a sustainable future in their respective regions.

The 2012 Congress starts with a Forum where IUCN Members and partners discuss cutting-edge ideas and practice. The Forum then guides the IUCN Members’ Assembly, a unique global environmental parliament of governments and NGOs.

We're in this together

“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,” says Enrique Lahmann, IUCN Congress Director.

Partnership to boost global food security

FAO and World Vision International (WVI), one of the world’s largest non-governmental humanitarian organizations, are joining forces in promoting global food security under an agreement signed at FAO Headquarters today.