Story | 23 Jun, 2013
Virunga National Park in peril from armed conflict and oil exploration
Two guards of the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature lost their lives following attacks by armed groups in the Virunga National Park World Heritage site, a recent report has revealed. Topped with oil exploration, continued unrest could lead to irreversible damages and ultimately…
Press release | 20 Jun, 2013
Five natural wonders declared World Heritage
Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 21 June 2013 (IUCN) -- Namib Sand Sea in Namibia, Xinjiang Tianshan in China, Tajik National Park in Tajikistan, Mount Etna in Italy and El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar Biosphere Reserve in Mexico have been declared World Heritage sites, following expert…
Press release | 15 Jun, 2013
Decision time for World Heritage
Phnom Penh, Cambodia, 16 June 2013 (IUCN) – UNESCO’s annual World Heritage meeting, which starts today in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, will see a total of 34 natural and cultural areas considered for World Heritage status. The World Heritage Committee will also review the state of…
Story | 12 Jun, 2013
France and IUCN intensify their efforts to protect global biodiversity
Yesterday IUCN signed a new partnership agreement with France, which aims to support the Union's global biodiversity conservation work, focusing on sub-Saharan Africa, oceans and global governance of natural resources.
Press release | 12 Jun, 2013
Surprise species at risk from climate change
Most species at greatest risk from climate change are not currently conservation priorities, finds an IUCN study that introduces a pioneering method to assess the vulnerability of species to climate change.
Story | 10 Jun, 2013
Giant aquatic fern added to the IUCN Invasive Species list
The Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta), an aquatic fern has been added to the list of 100 of the World’s Worst Invasive Alien Species. Compiled by the IUCN Species Survival Commission Invasive Species Specialist Group, (ISSG) the list aims to increase awareness about invasive alien species and to…
Press release | 28 May, 2013
From words to action – key organizations team up to stop the extinction crisis
With unprecedented species declines and more than 20,000 of the species assessed on The IUCN Red List threatened with extinction, IUCN and other organizations come together to support the achievement of a global biodiversity target to prevent further species loss.
Story | 21 May, 2013
Biodiversity and water: two of a kind
Today we celebrate the International Day for Biological Diversity. Its theme, Water and Biodiversity, coincides with the designation of 2013 as the International Year of Water Cooperation and highlights the indispensible role of nature in our water security and the sustainable development of our…
Story | 15 Apr, 2013
A new SADC Biodiversity Action Plan endorsed for approval
Members of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Technical Committee on Environment have endorsed the new SADC Biodiversity Action Plan for approval by the SADC Ministers of Environment at the next Ministerial meeting in May 2013. The SADC Technical Committee meeting, which was held…
Press release | 13 Mar, 2013
Sharks, rhinos and elephants among wildlife trade summit winners
A historic vote to improve the sustainability of the international trade of eight species of sharks and rays that are listed as threatened on The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is among the key decisions taken at the CITES wildlife trade summit closing today in Bangkok.