Story | 14 Oct, 2016
What does the new trade ban mean for pangolin conservation?
Pangolins gained the highest levels of protection under CITES with the decision to bring in a ban on international trade. Dan Challender from IUCN’s Global Species Programme and Co-Chair of IUCN’s SSC Pangolin Specialist Group looks at what this means for the conservation of these ‘scaly…
Story | 14 Oct, 2016
Condolence message from IUCN on the Passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej
IUCN would like to express its profound sorrow and the deepest and most heartfelt condolences to the Royal Family and the Government and people of the Kingdom of Thailand on the passing of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej.
Story | 14 Oct, 2016
Executive Pespective: A pioneer in sustainability and diversity from China
This article, published in Sustainability Thomson Reuters, is an interview of Mr Zhang Xinsheng, President of IUCN and former Chairman of UNESCO’s Executive Board. In it, he talks about Eco Forum Global and his vision and implementation of sustainability for the future. An excerpt of the article…
Story | 14 Oct, 2016
Biodiversity and sustainable development goals in Lao PDR: Identifying the links
A huge amount of the world's life, including human life, is dependent on biodiversity, making its loss one of the world’s most pressing crises. It is estimated that the current species extinction rate, for example, is between 1,000 and 10,000 times higher than it should be. Globally, converting…
Story | 14 Oct, 2016
Future of Antarctic Marine Protected Areas at Risk
Efforts to adopt effective marine protected areas in the Southern Ocean, a global commons containing the world’s most pristine marine ecosystems, are being thwarted by political infighting and fishing interests.
Story | 13 Oct, 2016
Convening experts to move forward on primary forests: IUCN’s Primary Forests Task Team at Congress
Primary forests are under intense pressure – a rapidly dwindling resource of which only one-fifth are officially protected. Conservation of primary forests can take place in many forms and on many scales, from small community-controlled fragments to large nationally protected areas. But signs of…
Story | 13 Oct, 2016
Law and the future of conservation: Perspectives from the World Conservation Congress, Hawaii
At the World Conservation Congress in early September, thousands gathered to discuss the future of conservation. These included scientists, explorers, economists, and activists, as well as judges and lawyers. Environmental law has proliferated in recent decades, in the form of new legislation…
Story | 13 Oct, 2016
Video: Key stakeholders’ perspectives on International Water Law in the Mekong
International rivers, such as the Mekong, are crucial arteries carrying the lifeblood of freshwater that sustains human existence and ecosystems around the world. It is estimated that there are 276 transboundary river basins (TRB) and 200 transboundary aquifers around the world but 60…
Story | 13 Oct, 2016
Keeping leopards in the spot(light) at CITES
At the 17th Congress of Parties of the Convention on Illegal Trade in Endangered Species (CITES CoP17) in Johannesburg, a side event reinforced the fact that leopards (Panthera pardus) need to stay in the spotlight and remain a conservation priority.
Story | 12 Oct, 2016
World Food Day provides an opportunity to reflect on how ecosystems can contribute to food security
Global food security and climate change are increasingly intertwined. World Food Day gives us an opportunity to discuss the challenges that lie ahead, and offer some solutions.