Marina Venâncio is an environmental lawyer with over ten years of experience in the field of environmental law research and practice. She is currently working as a legal officer at the United Nations ...
IUCN COMMISSION GROUP
IUCN WCEL Biodiversity Law Specialist Group
Overview and description
The Biodiversity Law Specialist Group serves as a legal advisory and knowledge platform within WCEL, bringing together legal scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and experts working across biodiversity law and governance.
The Group contributes legal expertise to support:
• the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of biodiversity
• the implementation of global biodiversity commitments
• the development and strengthening of legal and institutional frameworks
The Specialist Group engages across a range of thematic areas, including:
• area-based conservation and protected areas
• marine biodiversity governance, including areas beyond national jurisdiction
• rights-based approaches and equitable governance
• implementation of international biodiversity agreements
Membership is open to professionals working in biodiversity law and governance, including early-career and senior experts. Members contribute on a voluntary basis through participation in project activities, expert dialogue, and knowledge development.
Group leadership
Ms Marina DEMARIA VENâNCIO
Deputy Chair
Marina Venâncio is an environmental lawyer with over ten years of experience in the field of environmental law research and practice. She is currently working as a legal officer at the United Nations Environment Programme and has previously contributed to several international and civil society organizations, including UNEP-WCMC, FAO and UNEP. She holds a master's degree in law, environment, and ecological politics from the Federal University of Santa Catarina (Brazil). Ms. Venancio has authored and co-authored more than forty publications in the field of domestic and international environmental law, and was awarded in 2016 the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research’s Green Talents Award for her research on agroecological public policies.
Mrs Maria-Goreti MUAVESI
Chair
Maria-Goreti Muavesi has over sixteen years of experience in the field of environmental law. She gained her law degree and post-graduate diploma in legal practice from the University of the South Pacific in 2004 and 2005 respectively and was subsequently admitted to the High Court of Fiji in 2005. She graduated from the University of Wollongong with a Master of Fisheries Policy in 2018
She started her career as a Legal Officer with the Department of Environment where she coordinated and managed programmes for the Unit responsible for the implementation and enforcement of the Environment Management Act (2005) (EMA) and provided legal advice to other Units within the Department. She assisted and managed the formulation of the Environment Management (EIA Processing) Regulations 2007 and Environment Management (Waste Disposal & Recycling) Regulations 2007.
She then joined Munro Leys as a Solicitor in the Commercial Group of the firm practising in the areas of foreign investment, commercial property, corporate and environmental law.
In 2010 she joined the Fiji Environmental Law Association (FELA) as Coordinator and Environmental Lawyer with the responsibility of setting up the FELA office and coordinating its programmes before embarking on another stint at private practice joining Howards Lawyers as a Senior Associate of the firm managing the environmental and natural resource law practice of the firm.
Maria is currently a member of FELA, the IUCN Commission on Environmental Law, National Environmental Law of Australia and JICA Alumni Association of Fiji. She has attended various trainings in the field of International and Regional Environmental Law to boost her skill as an environmental lawyer. She is married to Eremodo Muavesi and recently gave birth to a daughter, Frances Muavesi.
Maria-Goreti Muavesi has over sixteen years of experience in the field of environmental law. She gained her law degree and post-graduate diploma in legal practice from the University of the South ...
Overview of Core Projects:
The Biodiversity Law Specialist Group will implement its work through a set of core projects during the 2026–2029 quadrennium. These projects provide a structured and operational framework for delivering legal expertise, supporting implementation of global biodiversity commitments, and contributing to relevant IUCN World Conservation Congress resolutions.
Additional projects may be proposed by Specialist Group members and developed in consultation with the Chair and Deputy Chair. Project Leads may be appointed to support implementation and coordination of activities under each project.
The projects outlined below reflect priority areas of engagement for the Specialist Group, including implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, strengthening national legal frameworks, advancing rights-based approaches, and supporting emerging areas of biodiversity law.
Project 1: Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Implementation – Legal Pathways for 30x30
This project will support legal and governance approaches to achieving Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (30x30). It will examine legal frameworks for protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), including governance models, equity considerations, and rights-based approaches.
Activities:
- Develop legal analysis on legislative and governance pathways for achieving 30x30
- Examine enabling frameworks for protected areas and OECMs, including recognition of Indigenous and community governance systems
- Engage with IUCN Members and partners to support implementation of relevant WCC resolutions
- Organise expert dialogues and contribute to global policy discussions
Outputs:
- Policy briefs and legal analyses
- Webinars and expert dialogues
- Contributions to IUCN knowledge products and policy processes
- Inputs to WCC motions and resolutions (where relevant)
Project Lead: To be confirmed
Project 2: BBNJ Agreement Implementation – National and Regional Legal Readiness
This project will support the implementation of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, with a focus on strengthening national and regional legal frameworks and institutional arrangements.
Activities:
- Develop practical legal guidance on national implementation of the BBNJ Agreement
- Analyse legal and institutional options for integrating BBNJ obligations into domestic frameworks
- Support knowledge exchange and capacity-building initiatives for policymakers and practitioners
- Engage in relevant international and regional processes and dialogues
- Coordinate with the Ocean Law Specialist Group and relevant partners to ensure technical consistency, complementarity, and appropriate institutional pathways for delivery
Outputs:
- Legal toolkit for BBNJ implementation
- Comparative legal analyses and guidance materials
- Webinars and expert workshops
- Contributions to policy discussions and implementation processes
- Project Lead: To be confirmed
Project 3: Comparative Biodiversity Law and Legislative Strengthening
This project will undertake comparative analysis of biodiversity legislation across jurisdictions to identify enabling provisions, gaps, and good practices for strengthening biodiversity governance and implementing global commitments.
Activities:
- Conduct comparative legal analysis of national biodiversity frameworks
- Identify legal gaps and opportunities for strengthening implementation of biodiversity commitments
- Develop practical guidance and recommendations for legislative reform
- Facilitate knowledge exchange among legal practitioners and policymakers
Outputs:
- Comparative legal reports
- Policy recommendations and guidance materials
- Knowledge products and expert dialogues
Project Lead: To be confirmed
Project 4: Rights-Based Approaches and Biodiversity Governance
This project will advance legal frameworks that recognise and support the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in biodiversity governance, including free, prior and informed consent (FPIC), equitable governance arrangements, and customary systems.
Activities:
- Analyse legal frameworks supporting rights-based approaches to biodiversity conservation
- Collaborate with relevant WCEL Specialist Groups and IUCN Commissions
- Develop guidance on integrating rights-based approaches into biodiversity governance
- Support dialogue and knowledge exchange on equity and governance
Outputs:
- Legal guidance notes and policy briefs
- Joint knowledge products with partner groups
- Webinars and expert discussions
Project Lead: To be confirmed
Project 5: Emerging Issues in Biodiversity Law
This project will focus on identifying and analysing emerging legal issues in biodiversity conservation, including ecological restoration, biodiversity offsets, and area-based management tools in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
Activities:
- Develop a rolling series of legal briefing notes on emerging issues
- Engage with experts and institutions working on evolving areas of biodiversity law
- Contribute to policy dialogue and thought leadership within WCEL
Outputs:
- Thematic legal briefing notes (2–3 per year)
- Expert dialogues and knowledge-sharing events
Project Lead: To be confirmed
Project 6: Capacity-Building and Knowledge Exchange Platform
This project will strengthen biodiversity law capacity and promote knowledge exchange among legal experts, practitioners, policymakers, and early-career professionals.
Activities:
- Organise webinars, seminars, and expert dialogues
- Establish a mentorship and engagement platform for early-career professionals
- Facilitate knowledge-sharing across the Specialist Group and wider networks
Outputs:
- Webinar series and knowledge products
- Mentorship programme framework
- Increased engagement and participation of Specialist Group members
Project Lead: To be confirmed
Contribution to IUCN Programme and Resolutions
The Biodiversity Law Specialist Group will contribute to the implementation of the IUCN Programme 2026–2029 and relevant World Conservation Congress resolutions through the projects described above. The Group will continue to assess relevant resolutions and align its activities to support their implementation, including through collaboration with IUCN Members, Commissions, and the Secretariat.
Biodiversity Law SG webinars: