IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Background

The Government of Bangladesh joined IUCN as a State Member in 1972. IUCN started its operation in Bangladesh as a “liaison office” in 1989 and a fully operation Country Office was established in Bangladesh on 22 November 1992.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Government and IUCN on 22 November 1992.

Overview

The Bangladesh Country Office aligns its activities with the current IUCN thematic areas: Conserving the diversity of life, Changing the climate forecast, Naturally energizing our future, Managing nature for human well-being, and Greening the world economy. 

To achieve its goals and objectives, IUCN Bangladesh parallels the vision and mission of IUCN globally, with well set strategic directions. IUCN Bangladesh Country Office works in close association with its members formed from a collective of national non-government organizations with key support from the Ministry of Environment and Forest, a State member. Support, advice and encouragement is also received valued from partners, donors and commission members, and volunteer scientists at home and abroad.

We strive for:

•  An environmentally aware, educated and willing society capable of conserving and managing its natural resources sustainably and judiciously

• Empowerment of communities to work with local government agencies to collectively manage natural resources and implement sustainable-use practices

• Documentation and application of traditional knowledge and local expertise to manage modern-day conservation challenges

• Promotion of conservation and biodiversity messages throughout school and community networks

• Community awareness and appreciation of the heritage value and cultural significance of iconic wildlife

• Identification and implementation of practical strategies to adapt to changing climatic conditions and the increasing risk of natural disasters

IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature, is an international organization concerned with the protection and sustainable use of the Earth's resources. The Union is a unique partnership of States, Government agencies, and NGOs, representing the world's largest environmental democracy. Since 1948, IUCN has been a convenor, bringing together members and stakeholders to develop and negotiate solutions to environmental and development challenges globally. In many instances, this has led to collective agreements for the benefit of both people and nature. IUCN believes that conservation will succeed where there is capacity to act collectively and where actions are based on the best available scientific information.

IUCN works to protect, manage and restore the integrity of nature which is critical to the wellbeing of all. The IUCN Programme is an expression of a collective effort of IUCN members towards achieving IUCN's mission and it is implemented through the IUCN membership, IUCN's six Commissions and its Secretariat.

Through its programmes, IUCN has been setting standards and guidelines for conservation, applying scientific rigour and innovative leadership for determining the 'threat status' of endangered species, categorizing protected areas, monitoring conservation success and assessing sustainability.

The Union's scientific advice underpins many of the international conventions such as the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES), the UNESCO's World Heritage Convention, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance and the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity. As a Union, IUCN exists to encourage and support its members-to represent their views on the world stage and to provide them with the concepts, strategies and technical support they need to achieve their goals.