What is the full form of IUCN
IUCN: International Union for Conservation of Nature
IUCN stands for International Union for Conservation of Nature. It was established in 1948 and is headquartered in Gland, Switzerland. Formerly, it was known as World Conservation Union. IUCN promotes a long term and mutually beneficial view towards the conservation of the planet’s flora and fauna.
IUCN, which is the world’s oldest organisation for the conservation of biodiversity, is a network of environmental organizations. It was founded as the International Union for the Protection of Nature to promote nature conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.
IUCN’s 1300 Member organisations and the input of over 15,000 experts set the direction for the Union’s work and global conservation. Its members comprise both government and civil society organizations. This diversity and vast expertise make it a global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
Functions of IUCN:
- To promote nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources
- To gather data, analyse the data, conduct research, field projects, etc.
- To work for gender equality, poverty alleviation, and sustainable business
- To create and publish IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- It plays a major role in the implementation of several international conventions on nature conservation and biodiversity.
- It unites the world’s most influential organizations and top experts in a combined effort to conserve nature and accelerate the transition to sustainable development.
Brief History of IUCN:
- It was founded in 1948 by the name of International Union for the Preservation of Nature (IUPN).
- In 1956, it was renamed International Union for the Preservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
- In 1959, IUCN prepared an international list of Nature Parks, Equivalent Reserves for the UNESCO.
- In 1969, IUCN got a grant from the Ford Foundation, which enabled it to boost its international secretariat.
- In 1972, UNESCO asked IUCN to provide technical evaluations and monitoring when it adopted the convention related to the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage.
- In 1980, The IUCN collaborated with UNESCO to publish a World Conservation Strategy.
- In 1982, as a result of the IUCN preparation and efforts, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the World Charter for Nature.