France and IUCN celebrate 20 years of partnership by signing new framework agreement

The celebration highlighted the achievements of this long-standing partnership, which has played a key role in integrating biodiversity conservation into global development efforts. The occasion also served as the backdrop for the signing of a new Framework Agreement for 2026–2029, reaffirming both parties’ commitment to championing nature in the face of today’s environmental and climate challenges.

The signing ceremony took place in Paris in the presence of Dr Grethel Aguilar, Director General of IUCN, Mr Thani Mohamed Soilihi, Minister Delegate for Francophonie and International Partnerships and Mr Bertrand Walckenaer, Deputy CEO of the Agence française de développement (AFD), with recorded messages from Mme Agnès Pannier-Runacher, Minister for Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, Forestry, Marine Affairs, and Fisheries and Mme Annie Genevard, Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty.

“This partnership is a testament to what enduring, values-based cooperation can achieve. It shows that when we align political ambition with scientific excellence and local impact, we can truly shift the needle for nature and for people,” Dr Aguilar, said at the ceremony.

“Today, we are renewing the partnership between France and the International Union for Conservation of Nature. This gives new momentum to over twenty years of collaboration dedicated to protecting biodiversity and tackling the collapse of life on Earth. Investing in nature means investing in our collective future,” Mr Soilihi said.

Held at the Palais d’Iéna in Paris, home of the Economic, Social and Environmental Council (ESEC), the event brought together over 100 participants, including representatives from four French ministries, the Agence française de développement (AFD), IUCN Members, French and international NGOs, the scientific community, and other key actors in conservation and development.

A Historic Partnership for Biodiversity

Since 2005, the France-IUCN Partnership has contributed to impactful conservation initiatives, delivering tangible results for global biodiversity across Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, and beyond. At the heart of this collaboration lies a series of projects that have shaped international conservation efforts and underscored the power of coordinated action.

Together, France and IUCN have led the development and global promotion of the Nature-based Solutions (NbS) Global Standard, setting a benchmark for effective ecosystem-based responses to climate and development challenges. They have strengthened the management of protected areas through support for the IUCN Green List initiative, enhancing conservation outcomes around the world. The partnership has also been a strong advocate for ocean conservation, from projects in France’s overseas territories to active participation in High Seas negotiations and the advancement of a Regenerative Blue Economy.

In food systems, the partnership champions the shift to sustainability through agroecological approaches, while continuing to bolster science and policy for biodiversity through key contributions to global platforms such as the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). 

These milestones reflect a shared commitment to embedding environmental priorities into public policies and development strategies, positioning the France-IUCN Partnership as a cornerstone of global conservation progress over the past two decades.

A Shared Future for Biodiversity

During the celebration, a new Framework Agreement for 2026–2029 was officially signed, reaffirming the shared commitment of France and IUCN to tackle the interconnected crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. This renewed agreement reflects a strengthened cooperation dynamic and introduces new strategic priorities for the years ahead.

Key areas of focus include:

• Scaling up Nature-based Solutions (NbS);

• Expanding efforts to conserve protected areas and the ocean, including in overseas territories;

• Fostering sustainable food and agricultural systems.

The signing marked a new chapter in the France-IUCN cooperation, giving new momentum to their joint commitments. By renewing their partnership, both parties highlighted the importance of reinforcing collective actions in the face of global environmental challenges. The new Framework Agreement, with its ambitious goals, will help continue and amplify efforts to conserve nature, contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals and global climate commitments.

After the signing, a panel discussion, moderated by Sébastien Treyer, Executive Director of IDDRI, brought together prominent voices from the conservation and development communities. These were: Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Chair of the Villars Institute Foundation and former IUCN Director General (2006–2015), Stéphanie Bouziges-Eschmann, Secretary General of the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM) and Maud Lelièvre, President of the IUCN French National Committee.

The panel provided an opportunity to reflect on 20 years of partnership, share key lessons, and discuss perspectives for the future of the France–IUCN collaboration.

French Ambassador for the Environment, Mme Barbara Pompili, closed the event with an inspirational speech. She will co-chair the Steering Committee for the new phase of the France-IUCN Partnership alongside Dr Aguilar.