A just world that values and conserves nature
Influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.
IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest global environmental organisation. In South America the Regional Office (IUCN-Sur) was established in 1991 in Quito, Ecuador. Together with more than 100 member organizations and nearly 1,000 volunteer scientists on its Commissions, IUCN-Sur has been working for more than 20 years on the implementation of projects for the sustainable management and conservation of biodiversity and natural resources in the region.
IUCN-Sur is recognized as a leader in the strengthening of regional networks, the generation and dissemination of information, and the promotion of conservation strategies and policies. In addition, it has played an important role in assisting national governments and civil society organizations with the development of public policies, supporting and advising decision-making processes, and promoting the implementation of actions for sustainable development.
We promote improved environmental governance processes based on the belief that the management and conservation of biodiversity and natural resources are determined by choices made by society. IUCN-Sur understands that reforms of governance systems can only take place with the support of informed society, effective stakeholder involvement, and the negotiation of interests. The Union is regionally recognized as a convening organization due to its capacity to facilitate multi stakeholder dialogue by bringing together academics, field practitioners, and governmental, non-governmental and multilateral organizations, including the private sector.