The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
IUCN Headquarters
Rue Mauverney 28 1196 Gland, Switzerland
The IUCN Member magazine, Unite for Nature, is available in English, French and Spanish, and is published twice a year by Think, on behalf of IUCN.
IUCN Membership
Learn about the benefits of joining IUCN as a Member or becoming part of an IUCN Commission www.iucn.org/members
IUCN editorial lead lain Stewart (IUCN Director, Membership and Commissions Support)
IUCN editorial board
Martin Austermuhle, Ann-Katrine Garn, Kedar Gore, Leigh Ann Hurt, Rehema Kahurananga, Chris Mahon, Fauza Namukuve, Sarah Over, Mark Salway, Sean Southey, Liz Thompson
Editor Tom Ireland
Group Editor Emily Rodway
Art Director John Pender
Sub Editor Camilla Elwes
Executive Director
John Innes, john.innes@ thinkpublishing.co.uk www.thinkpublishing.co.uk
Cover image: Chief Raoni Metuktire, photographed at Parque dos lgarapes, in Belem, Brazil, by Associated Press/Alamy
I'; MIX ",.,J Paper from responsible sources !_~~ FSC" C019670
2 NEWS
New guidelines for wildlife disease surveillance; mangrove climate role; and more 5 #NATUREFORALL
An initiative by an IUCN-led coalition of partners to inspire a global love of nature
6 GOOD NEWS MAP
Stories of positive change from around the globe
8 YOUTH LEADERSHIP Union-wide efforts to engage young people in nature conservation
10 WORLD HERITAGE
The six new natural sites added to the World Heritage List
REGULARS
MEMBER PROFILES
12 Ducks Unlimited Canada
13 IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action)
24 Ministry of Tourism and Environment, Albania
25 Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology
26 SPOTLIGHT ON ...
Tips on submitting motions for World Conservation Congress
28 GLOBAL EVENTS
Dates for your diary in 2024-25
FEATURES
14 MEASURING BIODIVERSITY
How IUCN's STAR metric helps to identify conservation actions with the most impact
18 CELEBRATING RANGERS
The IUCN WCPA
International Ranger Awards
22 INTERVIEW WITH CHIEFRAONI
The Indigenous leader on saving the Amazon and its people
Standing together for nature
Over recent months, we have had the privilege of meeting people from hundreds of IUCN Member organisations at the Regional Conservation Fora (RCF)that took place across the world.
These inspiring events provided opportunities for in-depth discussions on the future of conservation, as well as IUCN's strategic direction for the next 20 years and our 2026-29 Programme of Work.
Each RCFaddressed strategic topics for its region, including climate adaptation through Nature-based Solutions, human rights in conservation, and the importance of enabling active participation of youth, Indigenous peoples and local communities.
This year, IUCN also launched our first-ever Youth Advisory Committee, one of several initiatives to empower young people and ensure meaningful engagement with young voices. This issue of Unite for Nature magazine includes a special focus on youth engagement at the nine Regional Conservation Fora, with a particular focus on the Africa event.
We are also very fortunate that Chief Raoni Metuktire, leader of the Kayapo people, took time to speak to our editor for this edition of the magazine. At IUCN,we know that the conservation of nature needs to go hand-in -hand with supporting Indigenous peoples' rights, and we understand that Indigenous knowledge and practices are the cornerstone of effective nature conservation.
As entries open for the IUCNWCPAInternational Ranger Awards, we also recognise the work of rangers around the world, including Indigenous peoples working hard to protect their ancestral lands and local wildlife. We all owe a debt to those working on the frontline of conservation efforts.
Our Union has never been as strong as it is today. As we prepare for the World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, your insights and engagement are essential in further strengthening IUCN's role in steering positive change.
Together, let's continue to build a future where people and nature thrive side by side, guided by the collective wisdom and strength of our Union.
There's so much we can do if we all unite for nature.
Thank you.
Best wishes,
RazanAl Mubarak, President ofIUCN;and GrethelAguilar, Director General of!UCN
IUCNPresidentto co-chairfinance taskforce
IUCN President Razan Al Mubarak is to co-lead efforts to assist the business and finance sector in conserving nature.
The Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD),which helps businesses and financial organisations work towards naturepositive outcomes, has appointed her to serve as Co-Chair alongside David Craig.
The 40-member taskforce was created in June 2020. Its goal is to provide business and finance leaders with better-quality information on nature to allow them to incorporate nature-related risks and opportunities into their own planning and strategic decisions -
IUCNlaunches Agricultureand Conservation report
The latest report in IUCN's Nature in a Globalised World series was published in October, focusing on agriculture and nature.
About 37% of the world's land area is devoted to agriculture, and the report comes at a time when IUCNis expanding its focus on agriculture as a critical topic in conservation, including the appointment of a dedicated team
The interactions between agriculture and nature sit at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which calls for ending hunger and ensuring food security while also mandating the protection and restoration of nature. In this new report, IUCNtherefore explores the positive and negative relationships between agriculture and nature conservation, and mobilises new modelling approaches to examine both imperatives within a range of realistic policies.
IUCNlaunched the Nature in a Globalised World series of reports to help demonstrate the importance of
conserving nature for human wellbeing and all life on Earth. Each report in the series addresses a pressing global challenge and explores the significance of nature in that context, with countrylevel data.
The purpose of this flagship report series is to help bring the
shifting the flow of global capital to better outcomes for nature.
"I am honoured to be stepping into the role of Co-Chair of the TNFDat this critical juncture. COP28highlighted that business and finance now accept that climate change and nature loss are not separate challenges, but inextricably linked as integrated planetary systems," said Razan Al Mubarak
IUCNhas been working closely with TNFDas a knowledge partner to contribute scientific expertise to the understanding and management of corporate impacts on biodiversity, and to facilitate the inclusion of Indigenous peoples' perspectives.
importance of nature conservation into mainstream political and economic decision -making, via an audience of governments, civil society and the business and financial sectors.
Downloadand read the report at bit.ly/iucnacfr
New guidelinesfor disease surveillanceto better protectwildlife
IUCN and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)have released updated guidelines for the surveillance of diseases, pathogens and toxic agents in free-ranging wildlife.
The guidelines are designed for wildlife authorities and those working with wildlife, and provide a framework to better understand and mitigate the risks associated with wildlife diseases and their potential impact on human health.
The IUCN Red List ofThreatened Species recognises disease as a significant threat to species survival. In addition, the overlap between biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation and emerging infectious diseases increases the risk of disease transmission, making comprehensive wildlife surveillance critical.
Over 60% of human pathogens are zoonotic, meaning they can jump from animals to humans. While surveillance of domestic animals is widely conducted, surveillance of wildlife remains limited.
The guidelines -updated for the first time since 2015 -offer a roadmap
for designing effective surveillance programmes, including defining clear objectives, involving relevant stakeholders, choosing appropriate strategies and developing costeffective budgets.
Downloadand read the guidelinesat iucn.org!woahds
I
EUNatureRestorationLawnow in force
U) The EU Nature Restoration Law,which aims to streamline nature conservation across Europe, is now in force. It builds on
U) current EU environmental policies but is the EU's first continent-wide regulation
a: for long-term nature recovery.
0 The law sets legally-binding restoration targets for a wide range of ecosystems. It aims to restore 20% of the EU's degraded
ecosystems by 2030 and all ecosystems I in need of restoration by 2050.
"' Member states have until 1 September 2026 to prepare National Restoration
Plans, outlining how they aim to meet the law's targets. These involve restoring 30% of terrestrial, coastal, freshwater and marine ecosystems to good condition by 2030 and improving biodiversity indicators in forest and agricultural ecosystems. As part of this, 30% of drained agricultural peatlands should be restored and partially rewetted by 2030. There are also urban greening targets for cities.
IUCN has created a briefing explaining the main targets of the EU Nature Restoration Law,and how the Union's
tools, standards and resources can support member states in developing plans.
The law also provides a framework to enhance pollinator biodiversity, and encourages member states to restore at least 25,000km ofrivers into free-flowing rivers, as well as plant at least three billion additional trees by 2030.
Scaling up restoration efforts across the EU is not only important for conservation, it will also improve the EU's food security and help meet the Union's international environmental commitments.
WorldHeritage experts needed
IUCNis calling on World Heritage experts to help shape the fourth edition of World Heritage Outlook: its comprehensive assessment of World Heritage sites.
The IUCN World Heritage Outlook was first launched in 2014 and updated in 2017 and 2020. Efforts are now underway to complete a new cycle of assessments, which will be released at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in 2025.
There are more than 1,200 World Heritage sites, with more than 270 of these natural sites, recognised as unique protected areas with important values (see article on page 10 for more).
World Heritage Outlook 4 will review conservation efforts over the last decade, identify threats and recognise successes. Contributorswith expert knowledgeof World Heritage sites are being asked to register here:iucn.org/who
TENYEARSOFTHESARGASSO SEACOMMISSION
This year, the Sargasso Sea Commission is celebrating its 10-year anniversary and the impressive progress it has made to protect this special High Seas ecosystem, which falls outside any national jurisdiction.
Endorsed by the UN Decade of Ocean Science, it has generated evidence and political goodwill supporting the ecosystem's protection, secured vital funding and proposed a marine mammal area for humpback whale migrations.
"The Sargasso Sea continues to enchant us with the unique biodiversity it supports," says Dr David Freestone, Executive Secretary of the Sargasso Sea Commission.
"With the momentum of the finalisation of the BBNJAgreement (the Agreement under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction) and funding from grants from the Global Environment Facility, and French Facility for the Global Environment, we continue to strengthen the stewardship of this iconic area."
Reporthighlightsmangroves'climaterole
The Global Mangrove Alliance's new State of the World's Mangroves 2024 report highlights the critical role mangroves play in biodiversity conservation, climate mitigation and community protection.
The report gives an overview of the latest science and policy efforts to protect and restore these important ecosystems, which billions of people depend on for food, protection and livelihoods.
Half of all mangrove ecosystems are at risk of collapse by 2050 due to climate change. They are also
threatened by activities, including aquaculture, oil palm plantations and rice cultivation.
The report highlights how new data and better mapping can help decisionmakers set science-based policies to protect these ecosystems.
"We've seen the global community increasingly recognise the importance of mangroves, our roots of hope," says Minna Epps, IUCN Global Ocean Director. "Atthis crucial moment, much more investment in our blue natural capital and coordination is needed." Read the report here:iucn.org/wmreport
www.natureforall.global
The #NatureForAIImovement is driven by an IUCN-led global coalition of partners. A growing body of international scientific research demonstrates that meaningful contact with nature has significant personal and societal benefits. Whether alone or in a group, in cities or national parks, experiences in nature also influence positive shifts in values, beliefs and attitudes about the environment.
SHARED VISION
A world in which everyone, everywhere:
• loves and cares for nature
• experiences awe, joy and gratitude
• connects with thriving ecosystems
• contributes to nature's regeneration
• benefits from all nature provides
• takes action in support of a resilient and healthy future for all
We believe ...
The more people experience and share their love of nature, the more support and action there will be for its conservation.
PRIORITIES
• Inspire and celebrate love and action for nature by connecting people of all ages and cultures in a worldwide movement.
• Foster enabling environments by facilitating and encouraging the development of policies and practices that lead to greater action for nature conservation worldwide.
• Weave communities where partners connect and learn with the shared purpose of facilitating a love and action for nature in urban and other environments.
Government research shows that eco-friendly farming schemes are having a positive impact on wildlife, with 25% more breeding birds in areas with nature-friendly farming, plus more butterflies, bees and bats.
CANARY ISLANDS, SPAIN
Populations of the La Gomera giant lizard have improved from Critically Endangered to Endangered, thanks to captive breeding and reintroduction programmes. The species was
A new Marine Protected Area will be established around Isla de Lobos, off Punta del Este, to protect sea lions and other marine life from overfishing and human impacts.
IUCN and Children in the Wilderness launched a pioneering sustainable farming initiativeWilderness Ngamo Livestock Farm and Vocational Centrewhich will establish a community farm and offer sustainable
The Jordan Integrated Landscape Management Initiative project has secured $45m in funding to adapt to and mitigate climate change impacts through ecosystem management and
The DeSIRA project, involving IUCN and international partners, is helping small farmers use agroforestry to improve land damaged by erosion and flooding, and setting up
The Maldivian government has confirmed it will not reopen tuna long-lining, after previously considering reissuing licences, in response to pressure from NGOs and members of the public.
Cat Tien has become Vietnam's first national park to be recognised by the IUCN Green List, thanks to its holistic conservation efforts, biodiversity monitoring, habitat restoration and species conservation projects.
750 new species have been recognised Down Under, including a lustrous marine worm named after David Attenborough (Marphysa davidattenborough) and the western laughing tree frog (Litoria ridibunda).
IUCN and partners launched the Regenerative Seascapes for People, Climate and Nature (ReSea) Project, which aims to ensure women and girls are at the forefront of ocean
Engaging ourfuture
IUCNhaslongbeencommittedto empoweringyoung professionalswithinnatureconservation.Thisyear, youthleadershipwas a focalpointof the Regional ConservationForathattookplacearoundthe world
Following the launch in April of IUCN's exciting new Youth Advisory Committee (YAC),this year's Regional Conservation Fora included a strong focus on empowering youth leaders and amplifying their voices.
The IUCNYouth Strategy 2022-2030 outlines the importance of ensuring Union-wide efforts to engage young people. Since its launch, there have been a number of significant Union-wide efforts aimed at youth empowerment, meaningful engagement and leadership.
"The active participation of young people is essential to achieving sustainable development and reaching inclusive and just societies. IUCN is committed to bringing youth into conservation in an effective, respectful
and optimistic way,"says Director General Dr Grethel Aguilar.
VOICES OF YOUNG AFRICA
The IUCNAfrica Regional Conservation Forum (RCF) was one of nine events around the globe that brought together Members and other constituents to discuss biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. As part of this event, the Youth Conservation Forum for Africa saw over 120 young participants from across the continent and beyond join both physically and virtually for sessions covering topics including ecosystem restoration, Nature-based Solutions, plastic pollution, ocean conservation, and the role young people play in creating change.
The strong turnout was thanks to extensive planning, partnerships with other organisations, targeted outreach campaigns and a hybrid format. The organisation and marketing were also youth-led. 'Young people were involved in the planning and promotion of the event, which helped create content and messaging that resonated with the target audience," says IUCN Programme Officer Faria Tarus.
The Forum amplified the voices of African youth and Indigenous peoples in global conservation discussions, ensuring that their perspectives and knowledge contribute to shaping international policies and practices. There were hands-on conservation activities, communications training and even an opportunity for the young participants to demonstrate their leadership by pitching their project ideas during the networking dinner. It also highlighted the work of IUCN'sYouth Advisory Committee, and why strong storytelling and science communication is imperative in conservation.
Empowering these young people and tapping into their unique insights "can lead to more sustainable and effective outcomes", adds Tarus. It also ensures inclusivity. "Involvingyouth makes sure we can address the needs and aspirations of the next generation who will inherit and shape the future of Africa's natural resources."
TOMORROW'S DECISION-MAKERS
The success of the Youth Conservation Forum for Africa reflects a move to engage more young people around the world. At the IUCNAsia Regional
Conservation Forum in Bangkok, the Water and Wetlands Programme ran sessions on youth engagement in water diplomacy.
"Honestly, it's so important for young people to get involved, because we're the ones who'll be dealing with the longterm impacts of today's water decisions," says Brinda Kashyap, from IUCN's Meghna Water Futures programme, which is focused on protecting and managing freshwater ecosystems such as the Meghna River Basin shared between India and Bangladesh.
By combining their fresh ideas and energy with technical skills and policy knowledge, young people can have a huge impact, she says: "We can push for innovative, sustainable solutions that might not have been considered before."
UNIQUE INSIGHTS
Diana Garlytska is Chair of IUCN'sYouth Advisory Committee (YAC)and Regional Vice Chair for West Europe at the IUCN Commission on Education and Communication (CEC).She says that young people are "super keen on being part of the discussion, being at the table and being able to contribute to important policy development", adding: "Theybring so much value: fresh ideas, innovation and drive."
Events such as the RCFsoffer young professionals the opportunity to engage
with and learn from senior experts and conservation role models. Young people pursuing careers in nature conservation face so many challenges and barriers, that the benefits of this networking can't be understated.
"It is so valuable to extend your network by connecting with so many conservation experts," says Garlytska. "There's so much knowledge to be gained at the Regional Conservation Fora, which can really boost the career development of young conservationists."
Engaging in these discussions can give young people a huge confidence boost, giving them a glimpse of how they can lead positive change around the world.
''Amplifyingtheir voices creates a sense of ownership and responsibility," says Tams.
All of this year's RCFs included young people in their programmes. Now, as the Union looks towards World
Congress in 2025, IUCN's commitment to youth engagement continues.
The Union will continue to foster collaboration, strengthen partnerships, increase youth representation in decision -making, offer training and capacity-building, and showcase successful youth initiatives and best practices.
In particular, it will be exciting to see the input that will come from the new Youth Advisory Committee, whose young members are based in 13 countries, speak over a dozen languages, and represent the collective expertise ofIUCN's Commissions, Members, Indigenous peoples organisations and Secretariat.
Amplifying the voices of young people is important because it benefits everyone. "Having youth in the mix means we're not just talking about ideas -we're turning them into real, actionable plans," says Kashyap.
"It's exciting to think about the positive change we can create together."
"HAVINGYOUTH IN THE MIX MEANS WE'RE NOT JUST TALKINGABOUT IDEAS-WE'RE TURNING
Wonders of the world
Allsixsitesrecommendedby IUCNwereadded to the UNESCOWorldHeritageListin 2024
Six majestic new sites have been added to the UNESCOWorld Heritage List, following IUCN's recommendations. These include a vast area of peatland bog in northern Scotland, a breathtaking sand dune system on the Brazilian coast, and one of the world's most biodiverse caves in Bosnia and Herzegovina, among other sites.
IUCNhas been the official adviser on nature for the UNESCOWorld Heritage Convention since its founding in 1972. With 196 states as signatories, the World Heritage Convention is almost unanimously ratified, and the 1,223sites that have been awarded World Heritage status represent some of the most unique and outstanding places on Earth, which countries have committed to protect for future generations.
This year, all of the sites recommended by IUCNwere inscribed onto the prestigious list, taking the number of World Heritage sites listed for their nature conservation values to a total of 271in 107 countries. Nominations for World Heritage status are submitted by states, before IUCN embarks on an 18-month evaluation process to assess whether the site meets all the requirements to demonstrate outstanding natural value. "World Heritage designation has a fundamental role in protecting the world's most significant ecosystems and species," says Tim Badman, IUCN Director of World Heritage. "The Convention remains the primary international mechanism to link culture and nature."
Many World Heritage sites are located on the lands and territories ofindigenous peoples, who are recognised under the Convention as rights-holders in the identification, nomination, management
and protection of sites. The Convention increasingly embraces traditional stewardship, and IUCN has a leading role and responsibility in the Convention to advocate for the realisation of rightsbased approaches, equitable and inclusive governance, and the full and effective participation of Indigenous peoples.
To be recognised as World Heritage, sites must demonstrate that they meet at least one of four selection criteria, and also meet protection, management and integrity requirements. The four criteria for nature conservation significance focus on: superlative natural phenomena or exceptional aesthetic importance; outstanding representation of geological, geomorphological or physiographic features or processes; outstanding examples demonstrating ecological and biological processes; and significant biodiversity for in-situ conservation.
To ensure scientific rigour in the evaluation, IUCN commissions the UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre to undertake global comparative analyses on biodiversity data. The evaluation process involves field missions by IUCN experts as well as desk reviews by independent experts from IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA),Species Survival Commission (SSC),other IUCN specialist Commissions, scientific networks and NGOs, many of which are IUCN Members. The IUCNWorld Heritage Panel intensively reviews all of this information to agree on IUCN's recommendations for each nomination.
"The World Heritage Convention is uniquely placed to promote large-scale conservation", says Dr Madhu Rao, Chair of IUCNWCPA.'World Heritage sites
protect some of the largest protected and conserved areas in the world, focusing on ecological and biological integrity, with the flexibility to list a series of distinct areas that can link protection across landscapes. This is a major contribution to the achievement of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework"
There are currently 49 World Heritage sites that span national borders. News that their nominated sites have been inscribed on the World Heritage List comes with an immediate international recognition that there is something globally unique and important within the country. This prestige aims to reinforce protection, raise awareness and support for heritage conservation, and can help reach international conservation funding. Tourism can frequently be reinforced, with the challenge to ensure this is sustainable and beneficial for sites and communities alike.
Earlier this year, following a newly agreed IUCNWorld Heritage Strategy, IUCN called for increased representation and focus on nature conservation in the World Heritage list, following calls from member states to place more emphasis on nature (at present, more than threequarters of sites are listed for their cultural importance). IUCN's next major global assessment, the World Heritage Outlook 4, will be launched at the IUCN Congress in 2025.
IUCN has been working to identify gaps and underrepresented areas, to ensure more of the world's natural wealth is recognised with this special status. A recent study by UNESCOand IUCN suggested that a fifth of all mapped species richness is found in World Heritage sites. "WorldHeritage status confers the highest level of international protection for our most significant places," says Badman. "We must work together to support the local stewardship that can ensure these globally important sites are conserved, and inspire wider conservation leadership."
Parts of IUCN SSC working on World Heritage:
• IUCN World Heritage 6 Culture Team
• IUCN WCPAWorld Heritage Thematic Group
• IUCN CEESPWorld Heritage 6 Culture Network
Recent and relevant IUCN resolutions:
• wee 2020 Res 068
• wee 2020 Res 106
• wee 2020 Res 133
Thenew and updated sites addedto the WorldHeritageList
TE HENUA ENATA -THE MARQUESAS ISLANDS, FRENCH POLYNESIA
Home to more than 305 plant species and an exceptionalendemism of coastal fish and marine molluscs,these islands are also important in the initial occupation of the Marquesasarchipelagoby the Enata people between the 10th and 19th centuries.
BADAIN JARAN DESERT - TOWERS OF SAND AND LAKES, INNER MONGOLIA
This hyper-aridlandscapehas an abundance of striking interdunallakes, which exhibit myriad colours caused by the salinity and microbial communities unique to each lake.
THE FLOW COUNTRY, UNITED KINGDOM
This area of northern Scotland is one of the largest peat bog ecosystems remainingin Europeand is the first World HeritageSite focused on peatlands.Its ongoing peat-forming processescontinue to sequestercarbon on a very largescale.
LEN~61S MARANHENSES
NATIONAL PARK, BRAZIL
A breathtakingcoastal sand dune system inscribedfor its unique geomorphologicalformations, including temporary lakes within extensivecoastal barchan sand dunes.
MIGRATORY BIRD SANCTUARIES
ALONG THE COAST OF YELLOW SEA-BOHAI GULF OF CHINA
Ten new components have been added to an existing UNESCOsite, including some of the most important habitats for migrating birds along the EastAsianAustralasianFlyway.
VJETRENICA CAVE, RAYNO, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA
The stunning VjetrenicaCave is one of the world's biodiversity-richhotspots for cave-dwellingfauna, home to a total of 231 subterraneananimal taxa.
Supportingcommunities, maintainingbiodiversity
Ducks UnlimitedCanada is Canada'slargestland conservancy,focused on conservingthe country'swetlands
NATIONALNGO
Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC) was founded in 1938, when severe drought conditions across the US Great Plains and Canadian Prairies, coupled with previous decades of wetland habitat loss, led to a dramatic decline in waterfowl populations. Conservationminded outdoor enthusiasts and hunters took action to restore and conserve these crucial habitats.
DUC's work is critical because wetlands provide essential services, such as water filtration, flood and drought mitigation, carbon sequestration and wildlife habitat. With the degradation and loss of these habitats an ongoing concern, DUC's conservation and restoration efforts help maintain biodiversity, support sustainable communities and mitigate the impacts of climate change. There is also a social benefit to our work, including cultural heritage preservation, recreation and wellbeing through access to nature.
We are the largest land conservancy in Canada, with 13,575projects across the country, representing over 6.2 million acres. Last year, in partnership with Nature Conservancy of Canada, we entered into the largest conservation agreement in Canadian history with the McIntyre Ranch in Alberta. The 55,000-acre ranch is one of the largest remaining tracts of intact prairie grasslands and wetlands in Canada. Our conservation programmes are
founded in science and our research institute recently celebrated its 800th science publication.
Nature doesn't observe borders and neither do we. DUCworks in partnership with sister organisations in the United States (DUInc) and Mexico (DUMAC),sharing research, resources and strategies to maximise conservation impact. On a continental scale, DUC's work is important because over70% ofNorthAmerica's waterfowl are born in Canada. This international partnership enhances our ability to address large-scale environmental challenges, like our trans border collaboration to improve the health of the Great Lakes and St Lawrence ecosystem -a region that houses over half of the Canadian population.
As a non-profit organisation, ongoing funding is critical to advancing our mission, and we're proud to be participating in the largest continental
conservation campaign in our organisation's history. Collectively,with DU Inc and DUMAC,we're on track to raise $3 billion over the seven-year campaign ending in 2026. We are also proud oflandmark partnerships including Nature Force, a collective of 17leading P&Cinsurance organisations leading by example through investment in Nature-based Solutions for flood attenuation.
Canada is supporting a growing population, while facing the global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss. Educating on the importance of habitat conservation and advocating for investment in Nature-based Solutions is a priority. Advancing science, technology and data is an important step towards the development of robust decisionmaking tools. DUCcontinues to work towards a comprehensive wetland inventory and has recently developed a biodiversity tool. With improved data models, land-use management policies could consider the full value of conserving and restoring habitats like @ wetlands based on the ecological goods and services provided, and communities could fully consider the g costs of investing in climate resilience !;;: compared to the costs of emergency response and disaster recovery. I ducks.ca
Returnof the bison to Azerbaijan
An inspiringprojectled by IDEA (InternationalDialogue for EnvironmentalAction)seesEurope'slargest landmammalroamagainin ShahdagNationalPark
NATIONALNGO
Azerbaijan, a nation of about 10 million, is located in the southeastern Caucasus, a region renowned for its wonderful biodiversity. Here, the Caucasus Mountains meet the Caspian Sea and nine of the 11climate zones intermingle. Unsurprisingly, therefore, Azerbaijan boasts a fascinating array of flora and fauna, including many endemic species and those from both Europe and Asia.
But, as elsewhere, rapid modernisation and climate change have harmed its varied landscapes, creating ecological challenges which both the government and various NGOs, local and international, are striving hard to address.
Such efforts are led by IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action), an Azerbaijani environmental organisation founded in 2011by Leyla Aliyeva,whose wideranging activities include everything from marine conservation to youth education, tree planting, recycling and tackling coastal pollution.
Wildlife conservation is also a great priority for IDEA,which spearheads numerous projects aimed at conserving
the country's iconic but endangered animals, such as the Caucasian (also known as Persian) leopard. Another project is reintroducing European bison to the Caucasus Mountains.
Hunted to extinction
The European bison is one of only two surviving bison species, alongside the American bison. The biggest land mammals in Europe, they once roamed in large herds across western, central and southeastern parts of the continent, extending as far as the Volga River and into the Caucasus.
However, by the late 19th century, habitat loss and overhunting had wiped out bison from all but two areas: the Bialowieza Forest, shared between Poland and Belarus, and the western Greater Caucasus Mountains. The former population was then hunted to extinction in 1921,while the last European bison in the Caucasus was shot by poachers in 1927.
Fortunately, prior to that, a small number had been preserved in zoos, allowing for an international breeding programme that began in the 1920s. The first European bison were released back into the Bialowieza
Forest in 1952 and thereafter several other free-ranging populations were established throughout Europe.
The project to reintroduce European bison in Azerbaijan began in 2017, with the construction of a bison reintroduction centre in the Ismayilli section of the Shahdag National Park In 2019, the centre welcomed the first 12 European bison from members of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA).
Having adapted successfully, the first group of20 were released into Shahdag National Park in 2020, marking the start of attempts to establish a founder population, projected to reach at least 100 adult animals by 2028. Currently, the number is 66 and some are collared with GPS devices so they can be tracked to collect valuable information. This information is used to manage the wild population now and in the future.
Local benefits
Among the most heartwarming aspects has been witnessing the birth of many calves, as well as the positive impact of this large herbivore on Shahdag's forest ecosystems. The presence of such a charismatic animal also brings opportunities for tourism. This can benefit local communities, and IDEAis working hard to involve local people, while additionally running bison -focused summer camps for environmentally conscious students and young adults.
IDEAis the driving force behind the project, in collaboration with WWF Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, EAZA the Tierpark Berlin, and WWF Germany as main partners. Additional support has come from various zoos, Rewilding Europe, the European Bison Friends Society, and others.
Thanks to the tireless efforts and inspirational vision of IDEAand partners, Shahdag National Park is the first place in the South Caucasus where European bison roam freely again.
IDEAwill be participating at the upcoming COP29 climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, 11-22 November 2024, Blue Zone, pavilion G18
The world is losing its wealth of plants and animals at a faster rate than at any time in history, with more than 45,000 out of163,000 species listed as threatened with extinction on the IUCN Red List ofThreatened Species. Climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, exploitation by humans and pollution are taking a toll on biodiversity.
In December 2022, governments of the world agreed a deal to turn this around. Under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, they promised targets to protect and restore land and seas, and reduce activities causing biodiversity decline, including financial subsidies that fund harmful activities such as deforestation.
But the world has been here before. In 2010, governments agreed the 20 Aichi
Targets to stem biodiversity loss. However, they almost universally failed, with an official assessment by the UN's Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) concluding that just six targets had been partially met by the 2020 deadline, and none in full.
To understand the current condition of our biodiversity, we need to be able to measure and quantify it. As Wendy Elliott, Biodiversity Practice Leader of IUCN Member WWF International explains: "Without understanding the status and trends of the biodiversity we are working to conserve, it's impossible to assess the effectiveness of our interventions and adapt our approaches accordingly. As the Global Biodiversity Framework moves into the implementation stage, monitoring will
be essential to ensuring accountability and action."
There is a huge diversity in monitoring expertise, resources and methods in use around the world, according to PJ Stephenson, Chair of the IUCN SSC Species Monitoring Specialist Group. One of the biggest problems is that the expertise and resources tend to be in richer countries in Europe and North America, while most of the biodiversity is in poorer countries.
"Wealthier countries need to invest in training and resources in tropical countries to be able to collect the data they need to report on. This does happen, but it's patchy,"he says. Choosing what to monitor can also be a problem. 'You don't need to monitor everything from bacteria to blue whales. Countries need
to develop national biodiversity plans which will set out their priorities, and then focus monitoring on that."
In recognition of these issues, the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)is conducting a review of existing monitoring methods and technologies, including situ and remote sensing measurements, communitybased monitoring and citizen science. It plans to identify the priorities for
meeting the global nature targets, where the gaps lie, and how to better share resources to improve the situation. IPBESwill report its findings at the end of 2026.
TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENTS
At a project or ecosystem scale, many new technologies are helping scientists monitor and verify gains and losses in biodiversity. These include environmental DNA (eDNA),AI and
"WEALTHIERCOUNTRIESNEEDTO INVEST
IN TRAININGAND RESOURCESIN
satellite imagery, camera traps and acoustic monitoring.
However, though these technologies can save time and money compared with traditional methods of collecting biodiversity data, they are not always the silver bullet they are frequently portrayed as. "Everybody wants to use drones and eDNA these days. It appeals to donors because they see it as innovative, so people are keen to show they're using them," explains Stephenson.
However, such technologies can be expensive, he says. For example, camera traps of a sufficient quality to use in a programme cost £300-400, and you might need 20 to obtain a set of results, plus some spare to allow for malfunction, damage or theft. All will need memory cards and batteries. In
addition, you need someone to assess all the images and identify the wildlife recorded. "People think it's quick and easy, but there's lots of other costs."
A better strategy is to have a combination of techniques, such as eDNA sampling combined with human observations, says Stephenson. "Using two or even three methods together is the optimum way to know for sure what you've got."
Frank Hawkins, Policy Adviser at IUCN, agrees. "Technologies like eDNA and AI are very important components of the verification process, but you cannot rely on them on their own." For example, AI could be used to verify the rate of change of a habitat such as a forest, but that data needs to be used within a framework that then identifies priorities for action, he says.
STAR SOLUTION
IUCN has been working on a metric that could help do just that. The Species Threat Abatement and Restoration (STAR)metric allows business, governments and civil society to assess the potential of particular actions at specific locations to contribute to global biodiversity targets.
Dr Louise Mair, research fellow at Newcastle University, has been involved in the development of STAR."The idea is it provides a framework that works anywhere in the world, and for any actor. So, whether you're an NGO,business, community or policy maker, you can calculate your contribution to reducing extinction, then report progress using the same units as anyone else in the world."
Theoretically, if everyone working on conservation action used STAR,all contributions across the world could be
"WE NEEDTO WORK OUT THE MINIMUM NEEDED TO MAKEGOOD DECISIONSAT LOCALLEVEL"
tallied to show the total effort towards reducing species extinction risk, says Dr Mair. This was a key missing element from reporting on progress towards the Aichi Targets -just 36% of reports that countries submitted to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity contained data evidencing their progress towards targets, according to a 2013 study. Without comparable data, efforts to tackle biodiversity loss cannot be coordinated, changes cannot be made where actions are not working, and positive results cannot be recognised and rewarded. STARcan be used by policy makers to identify which biodiversity actions would have the most impact towards global goals. They could also use it to fit corporate commitments into their national targets.
Businesses can also use STARto work out where to invest in conservation across a portfolio of sites to have the biggest impact, according to Mair. "The higher the STARscore, the more species at risk of extinction are present, so the more good you could do by tackling threats at that site," she says.
Though STARis already available to use, the team developing it is still working to find the balance between the scientifically ideal level of data, and a more pragmatic approach where organisations have limited time and money to spend on it. "We need to work out the minimum needed to make good decisions at local level,"she says.
For Hawkins, the key benefit to STARis it can give a business the confidence to take action in the very short term that they know will be effective. He cites the example of a mining or forestry company managing an area ofland where there is known to be Red List species, due to the threats from habitat loss, hunting or pollution. They can then use STARto quantify the extent to which those threats are affecting the species and take action straight away.
"This is action-oriented. You're enabling companies to have good confidence in identifying what is the right thing to do, right now,"he says.
Mair is optimistic that STARcould become mainstream, due to its basis in IUCN's Red List data, which is well-trusted, with a robust development process, whereby every step has been peer-reviewed.
HOW STARWORKS
STAR uses existingpubliclyavailable data sets, such as the IUCN Red List or nationalred lists,and currentand historicalland-covermaps.
It scores potentialcontributions from two kinds of action:threat abatement and habitat restoration. These scores enable companies, governmentand conservationbodies to compare specificactions in specific locationstowards reducing global species extinctionrisk, in order to identifyconservationactionsthat will have the biggest impact.
For example, with abatement, each species is given a score (STARl), varyingfrom 0 for Least Concern species, to 100 for Near Threatened, 200 for Vulnerable,300 for Endangeredand 400 for Critically Endangered.The sum of START values acrossall species represents the globalthreat abatement effort needed for all species to become Least Concern.
STAR restorationscores (STARR) meanwhilereflectthe proportionthat restorablehabitat at the location representsof the global area of remaininghabitat for that species.
The metric recognisesthat significantbiodiversityis not distributedequallyaroundthe world, with the highest-scoringcountries located in biodiverseregionswith many threatenedendemic species. For example, Indonesiacontributes 7.1 % of the global STARTscore, Colombia7.0%, Mexico 6.1 % Madagascar6.0% and Brazil5.2%.
These top five countriestogether contribute31.3% of the global START score. In contrast,the lowest-scoring 88 countriestogether contributeonly 1 % of the global STARTscore.
RISK FILTER
Other conservation organisations are also working on similar ideas. WWF has developed a tool to help companies and financial institutions identify and take action on biodiversity-related risks across their operations, value chains and investments in different locations, using a science-based approach.
Its biodiversity risk filter, launched in January 2023 at the World Economic Forum summit in Davos, Switzerland, is a free online tool that helps businesses prioritise investments in locations that will make the most impact in mitigating their risks.
It includes information on species and ecosystems, protected areas and the most important pressures on biodiversity, such as deforestation, habitat destruction, pollution and land-use change for agriculture. It brings together data from multiple organisations, including WWF, IUCN,UNEP-World Conservation Monitoring Centre, the World Bank and space agency NASA
For example, a mining company sourcing gold from Suriname might need to prioritise freshwater scarcity, key biodiversity areas, and land-use change to meet its nature targets, while a textiles company sourcing cotton from Pakistan might need to prioritise freshwater quality, financial inequality and ecosystem condition.
Hawkins believes the narrative that biodiversity is too complicated to measure is being used by business as a 'get out of jail free card' to withdraw from their responsibilities to deliver on the Global Biodiversity Plan. "We feel this storyline is completely wrong, and
that there are ways to get companies on a pathway to deliver quantified and verified outcomes. It's really important we get people moving right now," he says.
Stephenson believes that new technology provides room for optimism, but we still have a long way to go.
"Onthe one hand, with the continued technological advancement of monitoring tools (such as camera traps, acoustic recording devices and eDNA)and data collection and sharing platforms and apps, we have more opportunities than ever to improve biodiversity monitoring," he says.
"Onthe other hand, we still have many challenges to overcome before we can systematically and widely access the reliable, timely and good-quality data we need to systematically improve conservation action. Only with a change in culture, including a more concerted effort to apply data-driven, results-based management, will we improve biodiversity monitoring and conservation impact."
CONTRIBUTIONS FOR NATURE
Measurethe potential of your conservationprojectto contribute to globalbiodiversitytargets:all IUCNMembersand Commission members can addtheir projects to the IUCNContributionsfor Natureplatformwhich then calculatesthe STARscore for their project.Moreinformationat iucncontributionsfornature.org
NATURE PROTECTORS
As entriesopen for the IUCN WCPA International RangerAwards,journalistKatie Dancey-Downslooks at the challengesfacingthe world'srangerstoday
For Anety Milimo, protecting the white rhinos of the Masi oa Tonya National Park in Zambia can sometimes mean going without sleep. This endangered species needs to be so closely protected that rangers guard them 24 hours a day -no mean feat, when combined with the risk of snake bites. And Milimo knows that her ranger colleagues have lost their lives to snakes. In 2021, Milimo was a winner in the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas International Ranger Awards, a moment she describes as the most rewarding of her career. The next round of awards, recognising outstanding work
by protected areas rangers around the world, opens for nominations in October 2024, with awards presented at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in 2025.
Rangers in Zambia, as elsewhere in the world, are deeply committed to the places they protect, and Milimo also brings community cohesion into her work But she works in tough conditions, goes on undercover operations and has to think ahead of poachers, getting under the skin of how they conduct their activities.
"The sacrifice of rangers cannot be [equated] to anything, because very few people understand how much these
people sacrifice their lives to protect natural resources," Milimo says. A lack of training in new technology also hinders her work "Rangers' lives are always at risk, but no proper care is put towards them," she adds.
STANDING UP FOR NATURE
The role of the rangers is not only carried out by formalised workers. They may be government employees or private sector workers, Indigenous guardians or volunteers. These skilled individuals protect diverse ecosystems, educate and work among their communities, and monitor wildlife.
Madhu Rao,the Chair ofIUCN's World Commission of Protected Areas (WCPA), explains that while rangers are fundamental to the recovery of nature, they often endure poor employment terms and dangerous working conditions. "One of our most important assets,
rangers are fundamental to environmental security and human wellbeing, yet remain insufficiently recognised for their contributions," says Dr Rao.
Between June 2023 and May 2024, 140 rangers worldwide lost their lives while protecting the places in their care, according to International Ranger Federation (IRF).
In July 2022, Anton Mzimba, head of ranger services at Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in South Africa, was killed in front of his family by suspected poachers. The perpetrators have not yet been brought to justice. Anton was posthumously awarded an International Ranger Award in 2023.
"We are standing firm today because of the courage that we got from Anton. Anton didn't run away from the threats ...He stood still because he knew what he was put out here to do,"says Orlat Ndlovu, who was second in command to Mzimba, and is now head of ranger services at Timbavati.
Mzimba spent a lot of time inspiring young people to connect with nature. When he died, he had been working on Rhino Man, a film about rangers protecting South Africa'srhinos from poachers.
TOUGH CONDITIONS OUT ON THE WATER
Segundo ConalesJrwon an International Ranger Award in 2023 for his work as part of the marine team at the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in the Philippines.
He and his colleagues monitor the impact of climate change, conduct clean -ups and patrol against illegal fishing. They have constructed temporary nesting structures for the black noddy bird, as lack of trees impacted their reproduction. By visiting fishing villages and schools, they increase appreciation for the park and a sense of ownership. "We are on the front-line of protecting Tubbataha; that is why our role as rangers is important," he says.
In December 2022, a monsoon sent strong winds towards their remote ranger station, which met a high tide and rough seas. Part of the floor collapsed, and the team lost essential equipment.
"Wewere evacuated by the Philippine Navy after two days, but we were not at ease, because there were no enforcers in the park while we were away,"Conales recalls.
With the prize money from the International Ranger Award, the team could rebuild the ranger station and replace their lost equipment, as well as updating their dated solar energy system.
RANGERS
JohnJurko II, the film's director, producer and cinematographer, remembers: "He was really worried that, more than losing the rhinos, many of the kids around Kruger National Park and these conservation areas just never get to see wildlife and haven't had that access and experience."
Being a ranger in South Africa is dangerous, Ndlovu acknowledges, but adds: 'You often don't see the threats that come with the work that you're doing, because your focus is not on the threats, but on doing what you love."
SUPPORTING RANGERS
Rangers face specific challenges in different parts of the world. The IUCN
Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme is finding ways to support those working in tiger conservation. This provides essential equipment like camera traps and GPS devices, as well as constructing ranger posts and watch towers. These rangers are the tigers' first line of defence, and they not only prevent poaching but also monitor their populations and habitat health.
Similarly, IUCN's SOS African Wildlife Initiative also supports rangers working in the field. It offers skills development on wildlife tracking, essential tools including first aid kits and walkie-talkies, and construction of base camps.
"THE BIGGESTCHALLENGEIS THE LACK OF RECOGNITIONIN MANY PLACESOF THE VALUETHAT
Another way IUCN supports rangers is through promoting the IUCN Green List Standard, a global benchmark for conserved and protected areas. Among the commitments that need to be made by areas looking to join the Green List are adequate support. voice and legitimacy for both rangers and local rights holders.
James Hardcastle, head of the IUCN's Protected and Conserved Areas team (PCA),says that good governance is the first criteria for achieving the Green List Standard. "It's having the right voices at the table and making sure they're heard, that they're included in decision -making processes," he says. "That includes the voices of rangers and other key workers."
Several rangers and former rangers from around the world are part of the PCA team. "Twoin particular are seconded from their agencies; Jiboo Park from Korean National Park Service, and Hana Matsuzaki, formerly a ranger, now with Japan Ministry of Environment," explains James Hardcastle. "Having a ranger perspective in the team helps us connect
HUMMINGBIRD DISCOVERY
CristianAndresVazquezBermudez is a ranger at the Chamicero de Perija Nature Reserve in Colombia, and an International Ranger Award winner. He manages remote areas and, like many rangers, faces the challenge of living away from loved ones.
The work is varied -maintenance of infrastructure, monitoring birds, patrolling to stop poaching and deforestation, and fighting forest fires.
The Chamicero de Perija Nature Reserve is very important for biodiversity. "I have had the pleasure of being part of a rediscovery of a species of hummingbird that had not been seen for 69 years," Vazquez Bermudez says, speaking about the incredible blue-bearded helmetcrest.
He hopes there will be a reversal of deforestation, poaching and littering on the Chamicero de Perija Reserve and that future generations will see the rangers as protectors of nature.
with and understand the context and conditions of work in many protected and conserved areas that we try to support."
THE RIGHT PEOPLE FOR THE ROLE
In the past, Indigenous rights have been eroded through the establishment of protected areas. But when good governance is respected, the work of rangers is often carried out by Indigenous communities. Among the winners of the 2023 International Ranger Awards was the Menraq Patrol Unit ofRoyal Belum State Park in Perak, Malaysia,comprised of members of the local Jahai community.
Nayla Azmi Dalimunthe is the founder ofNuraga Bhumi, an Indigenous womenled initiative based in North Sumatra, helping women engage in forest conservation. Her team were born and raised next to the forest, making them its best front-line protectors.
"Most local conservation efforts are run by men who are not even indigenous to the territory. They come with a certain way of thinking and are not connected to the community," says Dalimunthe, adding that Indigenous people are often framed as a threat to the forest, devaluing their relationship with the natural world.
Trevor Sandwith is Director of the IUCN Centre for Conservation Action. He says that while conserving their local areas is often integral to Indigenous communities, "modem conservation often misses this and strives to establish new authorities to undertake conservation, resource management and to distribute benefits in accordance with contemporary policies."
IUCN's PCAteam is now working on
ways of redressing grievances through mediation and compromise, as well as work on rights-based approaches to conservation. "Strengthening Indigenous peoples' and local communities' role in conservation means recognising their territorial, tenure and human rights; their customary laws, traditions and knowledge; and their right to govern and manage their areas in their own way,"says Sandwith.
NEED FOR MORE
Rangers will play a huge role in achieving the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which commits to 30% of the planet being conserved or restored by 2030. But the simple fact is that there are currently not enough of them. A 2022 study was the first to quantify numbers, estimating a total of286,000 rangers working today -but 1.5million are needed to achieve our conservation goals. Mike Appleton, the Vice Chair for the World Commission of Protected Areas (IUCN-WCPA)Capacity Development Thematic Group, was involved in this research. He says: "Ifyou're
building 30% of the world, you should be planning for the workforce at the same time, otherwise it's not going to function."
At the 2019 International Ranger Federation World Congress in Nepal, more than 550 rangers from 70 countries agreed to the Chitwan Declaration, which sets out a list of needs and priorities for rangers. In response, a coalition of bodies including IUCN-WCPAthen formed the Universal Ranger Support Alliance (URSA),which is now engaging with international bodies, donors and governments to secure long-term recognition and minimum employment standards for rangers.
"The biggest challenge is the lack of recognition in many places of the value these people are delivering,"says Appleton. "These are the people looking after our planetary life-support system."
Severalparts of IUCN carry out work related to the role of rangers,including:
• IUCN World Commissionon ProtectedAreas
• IUCN Centrefor ConservationAction
Recentand relevantIUCN resolutions:
• wee2020 Res115
• wee2016 Res103
• wee2008 Res119
THE IUCN WCPA INTERNATIONALRANGERAWARDS
The 2025 InternationalRangerAwardswere launchedat the International RangerFederationWorldRangerCongressin Francethis October.The awards recognise and celebrateProtectedArearangers,advocatingfor supportand improvementof workingconditions to acceleratenature conservation. IUCNand WCPAare currentlyseeking partnersfor the 2025 Awards-to make recommendations,judgecandidatesand help promote rangersworldwide. Awardnominations are open until 31January2025. Findout more at iucn.org/wcpara
The reveredIndigenousleaderand campaignerChiefRaonitalks to Tom Irelandaboutsavingthe Amazonand itspeople
ChiefRaoni Metuktire, often known simply as 'Raoni', is the leader of Brazil's Kayapo people and an international icon of the fight to save the Amazon and its Indigenous cultures.
Now in his nineties, Raoni has spent decades campaigning for the rights of Indigenous people and raising awareness of the destruction of the forest that supports them. Talking through an interpreter ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024, Raoni tells me that he and other Indigenous leaders want to be given more say in global policy-making.
"Wewant to find spaces where we can have a voice in all the decisions that pass about the land, about the forest, about our lives,"he says, "and take part in these big conferences where everyone is deciding on the world." He says the days of conflict and fighting between Indigenous and non -Indigenous peoples are in the past, and that he supports dialogue, partnerships, solutions and peace.
Raoni was born -or "came into existence" as his interpreter translates it -sometime in the early 1930s, in a remote village in the vast Mato Grosso region of central Brazil. Describing the changes he has seen over his lifetime, he remembers a happy childhood learning to hunt and fish, "before the colonisers came" and brought their industries and technology to the area.
The Kayapo people had a nomadic way oflife, moving from place to place through a vast region south of the Amazon River, allowing them to live "in harmony with the forest and with great joy",with many collective rituals and parties, he says.
Raoni says he grew up at a time when various nomadic people were just
beginning to come together to discuss the importance of maintaining their culture, their way oflife and history. At the age of 15,he began to wear an ornamental disc in his lower lip, symbolising that he is willing to die for his lands.
He was in his early twenties when he first met people from the outside world, and soon after he started to learn about the world beyond the forest. He became a representative for Indigenous people in his region, and the award-winning documentary Raoni further raised his profile in the 1970s.
Bythe 1990s he had gathered support from world leaders and celebrities, including pop star Sting, Prince Charles (now King Charles III), and Pope John
"WE WANT TO FIND SPACESWHERE WE CAN HAVEA VOICE IN ALL THE DECISIONSTHAT PASSABOUT THE
Paul II, to help bring attention to the destruction of the Amazon.
Hundreds of thousands of hectares of land are now protected reservations, thanks to Raoni's campaigning, but there is still a desperate need for more protection against mining, logging, land clearance and pollution, which spiked in recent years under the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro.
The full physical demarcation of Indigenous lands in Brazil is a longstanding project that is seen as key to preventing further irreparable damage to areas of forest that support Indigenous people. But despite optimism that Brazil's new president, Lula da Silva,would speed up progress of the demarcations, it has recently stalled because of opposition from conservative lawmakers with links to the agriculture sector. A legal theory known as the 'Marco Temporal' is being used to dispute the boundaries of many Indigenous claims to land.
Raoni says he believes demarcation is still important to Lula and his government, but accepts that he is in a difficult position because of the strength of the opposition in Brazil's Congress. "Last time I met Lula, in Brasilia, we had a conversation where he even asked to come to my territory, to my base, to explain the situation to our relatives," he says.
Just days after my call with Raoni, President Lula visited rural parts of the Amazon affected by some of the worst droughts in over 40 years, leading to huge wildfires and hunger across many Indigenous territories.
On the difficult question of how to balance the need for food production with the preservation of forest, Raoni believes more land is being taken from the forest than is necessary to feed the population. He wants to see less waste, and for global leaders to force farmers to farm land already available for agriculture before more forest is destroyed.
"There needs to be production of food in the way the colonisers do it, but it should be on land already available. We need the trees that give us life, and that provide the air and water for all of us, not just the Indigenous people. If we carry on like this, we won't have any more life here on this land."
>- Raoni is speaking from Los Angeles, ., California, where he is holding a
series of meetings with prominent environmentalists. Despite his age, he continues to travel across Brazil and around the world, raising awareness of the plight of the Amazon. He ends our call by thanking Unitefor Nature for the opportunity to continue his mission to talk to as many people as possible about his homeland and his people's experiences.
"Ifthe governments and leaders don't act, we're going to disappear from this planet."
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND IUCN
IUCN's membership category for Indigenouspeoples'organisations was launchedin 2016 and currently includes27 memberorganisations.
At the 2021 World Congress, IUCN's Indigenouspeoples Membersdevelopedthe Global IndigenousAgendafor the Governanceof IndigenousLands, Territories,Waters,CoastalSeas and NaturalResources.
Read this online at iucn.orglgia
Last year at COP28, IUCN launchedthe PodongIndigenous PeoplesInitiative,co-designed and co-led by Indigenouspeoples and IUCN. The four priorities of the co-led,co-designedinitiative are to:
• PromoteIndigenousrights and leadership,particularly women and youth,in global biodiversityand climate policyspaces.
A richdiversity
Albania'sMinistry of Tourismand Environmentjoined
IUCN as our lateststateMemberin June2024
iiriiii
What types of ecosystems and environments do you manage?
Albania stands out for its huge range of genetic resources, species and ecosystems. Plant species belong to 168 families and about 900 genera. We have a rich diversity of flora and fauna, with around 3,976 taxa of higher plants and 756 species of conifers.
Approximately 32% of European flora can be found in Albania, while the high forests are important habitats for mammals, such as brown bears, wild boars and wild goats, as well as many species of birds.
The rich marine flora and fauna communities are an indicator of the high level of conservation and the quality of these communities in Albania. Our country has taken great steps forward, declaring 21.4% of its territory to be a protected area. For a small country like Albania, this is very significant.
What are some of the most unique and special environmental features in Albania?
Albania's diverse relief has created conditions for the existence and preservation of several endemic and subendemic species. About 32 species of endemic plants and about 110other subendemic plants grow here.
Compared to its flora, Albanian fauna is less known and studied, but the country has a significant number of native and ancient species.
Ohrid Lake is the most well-known ecosystem in the country in terms of endemic fauna: it has over 40 species of molluscs and the fish Sa/mo letnica typicus.
What have been the major conservation successes of recent years?
The announcement of the Vjosa River National Park is a milestone in the history of protected areas. It is one of the last wild rivers in Europe, and has great value in terms of its habitats, ecosystems, biodiversity, culture and economy. The great work of our experts is still ongoing in the process of giving Vjosa UNESCOWorld Heritage status.
What are your hopes for the future of Albania's environment?
Our mission for the future includes boosting knowledge about habitats and species of interest; improving the legal and institutional framework for the effective management of protected areas; improving the sustainable use of natural resources; and strengthening communication, education, and public awareness and engagement on the role and
importance of protected areas in preserving biodiversity. One of our most ambitious programmes is environmental education in schools, where the National Agency of Protected Areas conducts lessons with students in national and natural parks to demonstrate our biodiversity values and instil in them a deep love for nature.
Why is it important for Albania to be a Member of IUCN?
IUCN has provided continuous support to the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, and the National Agency of Protected Areas of Albania (NAPA),through the implementation of various projects in the field of nature protection. It has also contributed to the increased capacity of staff in protected areas through the participation of various training activities. Membership of this global network is a good opportunity to address challenges, as, in many cases, their scale and complexity are beyond the possibilities and resources of our institution. We had excellent cooperation from IUCN during the process of declaring the Vjosa River a National Park, and we are confident that this strong partnership will continue.
How do you think conservation organisations, agencies and states can work together better for nature?
This is exactly what NAPAdoes: in every process, we conduct extensive public consultations and maintain constant communication with environmental organisations and, most importantly, with local communities and people living near protected areas. By combining efforts, organisations can achieve and fulfil their mission of conservation, collaborating with NAPAto take advantage of economies of scale, share costs and make better use of limited resources. This allows for more efficient implementation of conservation projects, which can have a greater impact on the ground.
Science of the drylands
Researchcarriedout by Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology is helpingitsscientiststo understand and addressecological,environmentaland socialproblemsin itshomestateand beyond
NATIONALNGO
Gujarat Institute of Desert Ecology (GUIDE)was established by the Forests and Environment Department of the Government of Gujarat in 1995.It has been a member of IUCN since 2001.
The Institute's mission is to catalyse the process of ameliorating human hardship in the desert ecosystems of Gujarat, following sound ecological principles and using scientific knowledge, imaginative technology and capital. A primary focus is on taking science from the laboratory out into the field, where communities in Gujarat's villages are looking to improve the degraded landscape.
GUIDE'Sprojects involve research, monitoring, consultancy and
environmental assessment into different aspects of ecology,with multidisciplinary teams of scientists and researchers. These projects provide opportunities to understand the prevailing environmental, ecological and social setup of the project areas, and enhance scientific knowledge. The Institute also provides environmental advocacy to government departments and the corporate sector, and has collaborated with NGOs and local communities for natural resource development and capacity building.
Research and assessment
GUIDEconcentrates on the arid and semi-arid ecosystems of Gujarat, with a special emphasis on the Kachchh district. It employs a multidisciplinary
"A PRIMARYFOCUS IS ON TAKINGSCIENCE FROM THE LABORATORYINTO THE FIELD"
team of scientists from diverse ecological backgrounds, with all the Institute's research activities performed under the coordination of the Director, Dr V VijayKumar.
Key areas of work for GUIDEinclude research into desertification and land degradation; biodiversity assessment, conservation and management; restoration of degraded ecosystems; and ecological restoration of mining and industrial areas. The Institute also conducts socio-economic studies for development opportunities, and considers the impact of invasive non-native species.
In recent years, GUIDEhas been exploring research on various aspects of biotechnology, including microbial biotechnology and bioprospecting. This includes the role of plant-growthpromoting rhizobacteria (PGPR)in enhancing productivity of soils. GUIDE has run experiments on a pilot-scale plot to understand how PGPR could aid grass species in saline-impacted soils. This could help to maintain soil quality, facilitating agriculture even in stressed environments like deserts.
The Institute has also pioneered a mushroom production unit to promote entrepreneurship in mushroom cultivation in Gujarat's Kachchh district. Though mushroom cultivation started in India in 1952,GUIDEhas identified that they have not been grown efficiently in the past, due to lack of understanding regarding growing techniques, and an erroneous belief that mushrooms are not vegetarian.
GUIDEhas conducted training programmes on mushroom cultivation for participants from Gujarat and more widely across India. The Institute also cultured the medicinal mushroom Cordyceps militaris, with training for 70 participants, and conducted studies in collaboration with the Institute of Pharmacy at Nirma University into its use in breast cancer treatment.
gujaratdesertecology.com
With the WorldConservationCongresstakingplacein Abu Dhabiin October 2025, IUCN'sSoniaPena Morenosharesher tips on how Memberscan best frametheirmotionsto Congress svMEussAHossoN
Next year, the IUCNWorld Conservation Congress (wee)held every four years -is taking place in the United Arab Emirates. This important assembly brings together thousands ofleaders and decisionmakers from government, civil society, academia and Indigenous peoples' organisations. These stakeholders discuss how to find conservation solutions and use nature to overcome global environmental challenges.
IUCN Members can work together to submit motions -draft decisionsduring a set period before the Congress and right before it, in the form of new and urgent motions, as a way of guiding the IUCN's general conservation policy and Programme. After an online discussion of all motions, a good number of them are voted on by Members electronically before the Congress, while others requiring more in-depth discussion and debate are tabled for the Members' Assembly. Once adopted, motions become Resolutions and Recommendations, and constitute IUCN's general policy.
Since IUCNwas established in 1948, it has adopted 1,466 Resolutions and
Recommendations. "More than 600 of those have been already archived, meaning that the main actions have been completed," says Sonia Pena Moreno, Director ofIUCN's Centre for Policy and Law."It doesn't mean they are no longer valid or important, just no longer active."
GOOD EXAMPLES
Several well-structured motions became Resolutions in 2021's wee in Marseille, including a strategic call for a deep sea mining moratorium and a post-pandemic resolution promoting human and environmental health by addressing biodiversity loss.
One Council-sponsored motion covering all aspects ofIUCN's position around developing and implementing an effective Global Biodiversity Framework was merged with elements of motions submitted by Members, as they were addressing similar issues. "So,the decision was made to merge them into one big umbrella motion that provides us with clear direction to operate in this space," says Pena Moreno.
"These motions worked well because they didn't repeat previous recommendations and they were discussed by a wide variety of Members, and had buy-in from the outset," she says.
Organisations used the Regional Conservation Fora, online discussions and the Congress itself to allow Members to have their say, ensuring a comprehensive final Resolution.
WORLD CONGRESS 2025
Different Members will have their own priority topics, but certain themes are likely to be popular. For example, exploring IUCN's role in supporting countries with their implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF)
SUCCESSFUL IUCN RESOLUTIONS
IUCN's Members have helped set the international conservation agenda by issuing over 1,466 Resolutions since 1948
Climate change
In 1960, an IUCN Resolution called attention to climate change and its impact on conservation several decades before it was generally recognised as a major issue.
Tiger conservation
In 1969, the passing of a moratorium on the hunting of tigers lead to India's Project Tiger, which has been credited with saving the Bengal tiger.
Indigenous peoples' rights
A 1994 Resolution on IUCN action on Indigenous people and sustainable use of natural resources led to the permanent inclusion of an Indigenous representative on the IUCN Council.
Protected areas
The proposal for a transboundary protected area between the US and Canada led to the Kluane/ Wrangell-St Elias/Glacier Bay/ Tatshenshini-Alsek transboundary World Heritage Site, the world's largest such protected area.
Plant conservation
The resolutionon plant conservation in Europesupportedthe foundations of the Global Strategy on Plant Conservation,adopted by the Conventionon BiologicalDiversity in 2002.
"THESEMOTIONS HAVETHE OPPORTUNITYTO BRING LOTS OF OUR MEMBERSHIPTOGETHER,
AND THAT'S IMPORTANT"
"I see the potential for a motion calling for IUCN to have a more prominent and concrete role in the rollout of GBF'sTarget 3 (known as 30x30) or the operationalisation of other Targets,"says Pena Moreno.
The IUCN Council can also send motions that fill policy gaps. If Members submit similar topics, she says, they would most likely be merged with the Councilsponsored motion. Other areas of interest, including framing species-related targets, fostering implementation of a future plastic pollution treaty, Indigenous rights, nature education and biodiversity credits, as well as clarifying the meaning of 'nature-positive', could also be of interest to Members at the upcoming Congress.
Some more controversial topicsnamely geo-engineering in climate change and using synthetic biology in nature conservation -are likely to generate lots of discussion. Members are also very interested in how they can shape IUCN's thinking about climate liability and redress, and how to pay or compensate for environmental damages.
SUBMITTING A MOTION
Members may submit motions from 1 November 2024 until 15January 2025. Before drafting potential motions, Members should first check what's already in the system "Doyour homework," says Pena Moreno, stressing the benefit of consulting IUCN's Resolutions and Recommendations platform.
New motions shouldn't repeat things already included in existing and active Resolutions. "For example, if you were looking to submit a motion on the conservation of turtles in Costa Rica, check whether we have anything on conservation of turtles more generally."
It's important to make sure there's a need for new policy guidance and that it has a strong rationale. Ask yourself: "Is it factual? Is it grounded in science 7 "
The other thing to consider is whether there is enough funding, capacity and resources for implementation. "There is a tendency to submit motions without thinking about how to implement them once they become Resolutions," she says.
Clarity is key. "Ifit's too high level and other Members don't understand what you're calling for, chances are it will remain in the pool of active Resolutions which are never implemented."
If you're sponsoring a motion, you will need at least five more Members eligible to vote to partner up with you. "Butthe more Members involved, the better," she says. IUCN's dedicated platform is set up to make this easy. "Youcan start putting together ideas and save a draft," she explains. If you're preparing a motion around protecting the vaquita in Mexico and another Member is interested in this topic, they can see your draft on the system and contact you, so you can work together on one single strong motion.
This collaboration between Members around the world, working together for conservation, is key to IUCN'svalue. "These motions have the opportunity to bring lots of our Membership together," says Pena Moreno. "Andthat's not only important but very powerful."
PREVIOUS RESOLUTIONS
Search for and read all ofIUCN's resolutions online: portals.iucn.org/ library/resrec/search
GLOBAL EVENTS 2024-25
29th Session of the the marine environment. Windhoek, Namibia submitted for approval. Conference of Parties unep.org/inc-plastic- The 11thsession of thegef.org/events/68th-gefto the UN Climate pollution the Plenary of the council-meeting Change Conference Intergovernmental Science(UNFCCC COP29) 16th Session of the Policy Platform on Biodiversity World Economic 11-22 November Conference of Parties and Ecosystem Services Forum Annual Meeting Baku, Azerbaijan to the Convention to will consider the assessment 20-24 January 2025 IUCN will build on its Combat Deforestation on interlinkages among Davos, Switzerland previous work to highlight (UNCCD COP16) biodiversity, water, food and The World Economic Forum the importance of healthy 2-13 December 2024 health, and the transformative Annual Meeting 2025 will ecosystems and Nature- Riyadh, Saudi Arabia change assessment. bring together 2,500 leaders in based Solutions in tackling IUCN's recommendations ipbes.net/events/ipbes-11 their respective fields from the interlinked climate and to COP16will be centred across the world to debate biodiversity crises. around addressing land 68th Meeting of the approaches to key global and unfccc.int degradation, biodiversity loss GEF Council regional challenges. and achieving sustainable 16-20 December 2024 weforum.org/events/worldPlastic Pollution INC-5 development goals. Virtual economic-forum-annual25November unccd.int
The 68th meeting of the Global meeting-2025
-1 December 2024 Environment Facility (GEF) Busan, Korea (RK) 11th Session of Council will take place virtually 78th Meeting of the The fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental in order to develop, adopt and Standing Committee Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform evaluate the operational of CITES Negotiating Committee (INC) on Biodiversity and policies and programmes for 3-8 February2025 "'
to develop an international Ecosystem Services GIF-financed activities. The Geneva, Switzerland
legally binding instrument on (IPBES-11) Council will also be reviewing The biannual meeting of the
plastic pollution, including in 10-16 December 2024 and approving the projects Standing Committee of the
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora provides policy guidance to the Secretariat, oversees the management of the Secretariat's budget, and coordinates the work of other committees and working groups. cites.org/eng
30th Session of the International Seabed Authority Assembly and Council (Part I)
3-28 March 2025
Kingston, Jamaica
Part I of the 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority (ISA)will include the Legal and Technical Commission and the ISA Council. During the IS.A'sannual session, representatives from its member states meet to discuss and formulate the work of the Authority and its Secretariat. isa.org.jm/sessions/30thsession-2025
BBNJ (Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction) Agreement PREPCOM I
14-25 April 2025
New YorkCity,USA
The Preparatory Commission responsible for enacting the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological
Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction will meet for their first substantive sessions since the law was adopted by the UN in June 2023. un.org/bbnjagreement/en
Basel Convention (BC COP17), Rotterdam Convention (RC COP12) and Stockholm Convention (SC COP12) 29 April - 5 May 2025
Geneva, Switzerland
The meetings of the conferences of the Parties to BC COP17,RC COP12, and SC COP12will be held back-to-back in Geneva, to take decisions relating to the
managementofhazardous chemicals and wastes. Preparatory meetings will be held on 27 April. brsmeas.org/2025COPs/ overview
IUCN WCEL World Environmental Law Congress
5-7May2025
Rabat, Morocco
The title of this fourth WCEL World Environmental Law Congress is 'Integrated Legal Protection of Air, Ocean and Land'.The event is hosted by the Hassan II International Center for Environmental Training. iucn.org/wcel
20th Session of the UN Forum on Forests (UNFF 20) 5-9May2025
NewYorkCity, USA
As this session is occurring in an odd year, the Forum will focus on discussing implementation, technical advice and exchanging experiences of attempting to enact the six Global Forest Goals and 26 associated targets to be achieved by 2030.
un.org/esa/forests
Resumed Second Session of the UN-Habitat Assembly 29-30 May2025
Nairobi, Kenya
The UN Human Settlements Programme will resume its Second Session to consider the Strategic Plan for UN-Habitat for 2026-29. The Session's theme is 'ASustainable Urban Future Through Inclusive and Effective Multiculturalism: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Times of Global Crises'. unhabitat.org/events/ resumed-second-session-ofthe-un-habitat-assembly
30th Session of the International Seabed Authority Assembly and Council (Part II) 7-25 July 2025
Kingston, Jamaica
Part II of the 30th Session of the International Seabed Authority will continue the meetings of the Legal and Technical Commission and the ISA Council as well as the ISAAssembly and the Finance Committee. isa.org.jm/sessions/30thsession-2025
