Members resources

These By-laws shall guide the Commission’s operations in the furtherance of the mission of IUCN, to provide effective legal foundations for conserving the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that the use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.

Adopted by IUCN Members during the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi on 14 October 2025.

The purpose of this document is to provide an introduction to IUCN and SSC, their structure and primary activities. It also outlines what is expected from SSC Members, and how to engage with others within an outside IUCN.

In this document we expand on the topics covered in the Terms of Reference for Specialist Group, National Species Specialist Group, Task Force and Conservation Committee Chairs 2021-2025. 

This compilation of current SG Experience and Examples is intended to serve as a resource to acting or potential leaders of IUCN SSC Specialist Groups or Task Forces. 

The appointment of SSC Members is approved by the corresponding group leader, and the members must clearly understand and agree to such a governance structure at the time they are appointed.

The Specialist Groups (SG) and Task Forces (TF) Chairs have a relevant role and responsibility within the Commission.

The Steering Committee assists the Chair and Deputy Chair in overseeing and coordinating the activities of the Commission.

The role of IUCN SSC Regional Vice-Chairs is to support the Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission to facilitate efficient engagement and communication between relevant SSC Group Chairs and members, IUCN members, and national and regional SSC initiatives.

Conservation Committees act to mobilise and assist the IUCN SSC and its constituent parts.
These Terms of Reference do not apply to the SSC Red List Committee nor the SSC Standard and Petitions Committee, which have their own terms of reference.

Species Conservation Planning Focal Point help to raise awareness of species conservation planning within Specialist Groups and improve planning-related communication and collaboration across the SSC network.

Enhancing meaningful conservation action is a goal shared by the SSC specialist groups and the regional, national and world ex-situ conservation communities.

It is important that sustainable use is treated as a cross-cutting issue within SSC and that there is coordination between SULi and the other SGs that have an interest in sustainable use. 

RLACs are responsible for managing Red List activities within the Specialist Groups of their remit, serving as a contact person between the various IUCN structures and SSC Chair’s Office.

The Chair of the IUCN Red List Committee ensures coordination and smooth working of the Red List process, and in particular close and effective cooperation among the SSC, Secretariat and the Red List Partners.

The purpose of National Species Specialist Groups will be to coordinate expertise across taxonomic groups in the country, to support governments and facilitate science-based decision making and the development of policies that will contribute towards halting the loss of species. 

Decision 143: “each Commission may nominate an official representative of the Commission, resident in such a State or Region who may attend, and speak at, meetings of the governing bodies of the National and Regional Committees, without a right to vote.”

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To report a violation of the Code of Conduct, please reach the Complaints and Appeals Panel through the following email address: [email protected]

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IUCN and SSC provide their members with access to various platforms. Learn about their uses and functionalities in this brief guide.

A cohesive branding can change how audiences perceive our organisation. The IUCN logo is the most important element of branding, as it is essentially the face of the Union and brings the authority and credibility associated with the global brand. In this sense, IUCN Commissions must follow IUCN logo rules and the IUCN visual identity rules. Find more information in this guidelines.

The best way to articulate IUCN’s role in the Convention is one of treading a delicate line between being formally neutral, while informally trying to steer things towards particular conservation outcomes that it feels are warranted on the basis of the scientific evidence (especially from The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and expertise from SSC members). In this document explore how SSC members can engage in the CITES.

IUCN and SSC have established a set of questions to guide the development of proposals around the establishment of new Specialist Groups. These questions are intended to serve as guidelines, rather than criteria, for the establishment of new Specialist Groups. If you are interested in establishing a new one please read this document.

IUCN and SSC have established a set of questions to guide the development of proposals around the establishment of new Stand-alone Red List Authorities. These questions are intended to serve as guidelines, rather than criteria. If you are interested in establishing a new group, please read this document.

IUCN and SSC have established a set of questions to guide the development of proposals around the establishment of new Task Forces. These questions are intended to serve as guidelines, rather than criteria. If you are interested in establishing a new SSC Task Force, please read this document.

The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) aims to expand its efforts through regional and national approaches in order to collaborate in making the best decisions to achieve biodiversity conservation based on the best scientific knowledge available. This guide provides an introductory overview about the National Species Specialist Group.

The National Species Specialist Groups (NSSG) aim to bring together efforts at the national level to collaborate in making the best decisions to achieve biodiversity conservation based on the best scientific knowledge available. This guide provides information on getting started as a NSSG, including the main steps you need to follow and key documents to explore.

National Species Specialist Groups allow SSC members who are already part of other groups to organise geographically, and also allow additional experts, especially emerging talent, to join the Commission without being previously affiliated to other SSC groups. If you are interested in establishing a new group, please read this document.