International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN)

(Source: IUCN)

IOS contributes substantially with cactus and succulent expertise to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources. Within the IUCN Species Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC), the Cacti and Succulents Specialist Group (SSC/CSSG) was set up in 1984, on recommendation of IOS. Today, IOS members still represent the majority of CSSG.

The global struggle for species survival and conservation has generated a complex network of government and non-governmental organizations with hundreds of sub-units on all continents under the umbrella of IUCN. IOS would like to provide an easy navigation through this complex networking to cactus and succulent related issues within the IUCN structure with a short description of the IUCN umbrella organization via the IUCN Species Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC), the SSC Specialists Groups and plant network to the IUCN/SSC Cactus an Succulent Specialist Group (IUCN/SSC/CSSG):

IUCN network to IOS

IUCN is a union of sovereign states, government and non-governmental organizations. Its mission is to 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 was founded in 1948 as the world's first global environmental organization. The Union is made up of three components: its Member organizations, its six scientific Commissions, and its professional Secretariat. Today IUCN unites more than 11,000 volunteer scientists and expert members working in the Commissions, networks of individual departments, and initiatives in more than 60 offices, more than 1,000 member organizations, in more than 160 countries. The Commissions assess the state of the world's natural resources and provide the Union with sound know-how and policy advice on conservation issues. IUCN holds official observer status at the United Nations General Assembly.

Governments, bilateral and multilateral agencies, foundations, member organizations, and corporations fund the Union.

IUCN wishes to help the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. It supports scientific research, runs field projects to better manage natural environments, supports governments, NGOs, international conventions, UN organizations, companies and communities to develop and implement laws, policy and best-practice by mobilizing organizations, providing resources, training people and monitoring results. The Union develops and supports cutting edge conservation science, particularly in species, ecosystems, biodiversity, and the impact these have on human livelihoods.

All of IUCN's work falls under a broad framework programme, discussed and approved by member organizations every four years at IUCN's World Conservation Congress. The current programme Shaping a Sustainable Future runs from 2009-2012 and provides the framework for planning, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating the conservation work undertaken by the Commissions and the Secretariat with and on behalf of members. It is a result-based, demand-driven plan of action that addresses global issues, incorporates national level priorities, and provides a structure for detailed work plans for the Commissions and the Regional and Global Thematic Programmes of IUCN. The IUCN Programme 2009-2012, through its 5 thematic areas and 10 global results, provides focus for the Union to take action and engage with members, partners and other stakeholders and deliver concrete results in the pursuit of a just world that values and conserves nature.

Continue: Species Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC)

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Echinopsis (Lobivia) lateritia, Bolivia, Tarija, Impora ©Ingrid&Rainer Mecklenburg

Echinopsis (Lobivia) lateritia
Bolivia, Tarija, Impora ©Ingrid&Rainer Mecklenburg

Adenium socotranum, Yemen, Socotra, Ras Hebak ©Joël Lodé

Adenium socotranum
Yemen, Socotra, Ras Hebak ©Joël Lodé

Echinopsis atacamensis, Bolivia, Potosí, Salar de Uyuni ©Ingrid&Rainer Mecklenburg

Echinopsis atacamensis
Bolivia, Potosí, Salar de Uyuni ©Ingrid&Rainer Mecklenburg