IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

Commission on Education and Communication (CEC)

CEC champions the strategic use of communication and education to empower and educate stakeholders for the sustainable use of natural resources.

Current Chair: Keith Wheeler

Deputy Chair:  Wendy Goldstein

Oceania Regional Vice Chair:  Konai Thaman

Members: 600

To join the Commission please contact the CEC Membership Liaison Officer, Cecilia Nizzola-Tabja

For more information on CEC's activities in

• the Pacific Islands: contact  Konai Thaman. 
• Australia and New Zealand: contact Wendy Goldstein

Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP)

CEESP provides expertise and policy advice on economic and social factors for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.

Current Chair:  Aroha Mead

Oceania Regional Vice Chair:  Lea M. Scherl

Members: 1000

To join the Commission, please send an e-mail to ceesp@iucn.org

For more information on CEESP activities in Oceania please contact:

• Elizabeth Erasito, CEESP Executive Officer, or
• Lea M. Scherl, Regional Vice Chair

Commission on Environmental Law (CEL)

CEL advances environmental law by developing new legal concepts and instruments, and by building the capacity of societies to employ environmental law for conservation and sustainable development.

Current Chair: Sheila Abed

Members: 800

To apply to become a member, please contact Maria Zanotti, CEL Liaison Officer.

For more information on CEL activities or potential engagement in Oceania please contact:

• Pepe Clarke, Regional Focal Point for Pacific Islands;
• Ilona Millar, Regional Focal Point for Australia.

Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM)

CEM provides expert guidance on integrated ecosystem approaches to the management of natural and modified ecosystems.

Current Chair:  Piet Wit

Oceania Regional Vice Chair: Milika Sobey

Members: 400.

To apply to join the Commission, please send a CV to Patricia Hawes.

For more information on CEM activities in Oceania, contact Milika Sobey.

Species Survival Commission (SSC)

SSC advises the Union on the technical aspects of species conservation and mobilizes action for those species that are threatened with extinction.

Current Chair: Simon Stuart

Members: 7500.

Most members are deployed in more than 100 Specialist Groups and Task Forces. Please click here for details of the Specialist Groups and how to become a member of the SSC.

 For more information please contact:

• Simon Stuart, SSC Chair or
• Maj De Poorter, Regional Focal Point

World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)

WCPA promotes the establishment and effective management of a worldwide representative network of terrestrial and marine protected areas.

Current Chair: Nik Lopoukhine

Oceania Regional Vice Chair:  Penelope Figgis

Oceania Region Deputy Vice Chair:  Elizabeth Erasito

Members: 1300.

For more information on WCPA activities in Oceania please contact either Penelope Figgis or Elizabeth Erasito.

To apply to be a member of the Commission please contact Delwyn Dupuis, WCPA Membership Focal Point.