Organisers of the World Parks Congress 2003

IUCN
WCPA
South African National Parks
Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Government of South Africa

The 5th IUCN World Parks Congress is convened by IUCN,through its WCPA (World Commision on Protected Areas). Principal Staging Partners are South African National Parks (SAN Parks) and its Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism on behalf of the Government of South Africa.

IUCN Founded in 1948, The World Conservation Union brings together States, government agencies and a diverse range of non-governmental organizations in a unique world partnership: over 980 members in all, spread across some 140 countries.

IUCN's MISSION

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.

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The World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) is the world's leading global network of protected area specialists.

The WCPA mission is:

"To promote the establishment and effective management of a world-wide representative network of terrestrial and marine protected areas, as an integral contribution to the IUCN mission."

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South African National Parks (SANParks) manages a system of parks which represents the indigenous fauna, flora, landscapes and associated cultural heritage of the country. Of the 20 national parks, 14 have overnight tourist facilities, with an unrivalled variety of accommodation in arid, coastal, mountain and bushveld habitats.

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Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, Government of South Africa - DEAT

Vision and mission

The vision of the DEAT is to lead environmental management and tourism in the interests of sustainable development and to contribute to the improvement of the quality of life of all South Africans by:

• Promoting the sustainable development, utilisation and protection of our natural and cultural resources.
  
  
• Establishing responsible tourism that ensures environmental sustainability and which contributes to job creation and a better quality of life.
  
  
• Harnessing the skills, experience and knowledge of the environment of all South Africans.
  
  
• Fostering equitable access to the benefits derived from our natural and cultural resources.
  
  
• Empowering the South African public, communities and organisations through participation, environmental education, capacity building, research and information services.
  
  
• Working together with all relevant stakeholders and spheres of government in the spirit of good governance.
  
  
• Ensuring that all international participation and obligations are undertaken in the context of South Africa's environmental policies and principles.
  

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