The France–IUCN Partnership  

France played a catalytic role in shaping and formalising the concept of Nature-based Solutions. This leadership contributed to the development of the IUCN Global Standard for NbS in 2020, providing a robust framework to ensure credible, measurable outcomes. The Global Standard is now embedded in major international policy frameworks and climate and biodiversity agendas.

The Ocean has been a core priority of the France–IUCN Partnership from the outset, reflecting France’s long-standing leadership in marine conservation and ocean governance. Together, France and IUCN have played a catalytic role in strengthening international ocean governance, from regional cooperation in the Mediterranean to global negotiations on areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ).

Beyond policy influence, the Partnership has increasingly focused on implementation—supporting marine protected areas, advancing sustainable and regenerative blue economy approaches, and mobilising action in overseas and island territories.

Since the Ministry of Agriculture joined the Partnership in 2017, support from France has helped transform the IUCN’s engagement on agroecology, bridging biodiversity and food systems through the production of tools, knowledge and flagship reports, while supporting common ground dialogues and strengthening IUCN’s recognition in international fora. This progress was underpinned by the creation of a dedicated Food and Agricultural Systems team in 2023, and agroecology is now recognised as one of the eight global transformations embedded in IUCN’s 20-year Strategic Vision. 

A core pillar of the Partnership is ensuring that protected areas are effectively and equitably managed and not just “paper parks”. From developing management standards and capacity-building programmes in Africa to supporting the Green List, the Partnership provides locally-relevant expert guidance to improve conservation outcomes in protected and conserved areas, including in overseas territories and World Heritage sites. Further, it contributes to advancing the global 30×30 ambition, with a strong focus on implementation in marine contexts.