IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

The IUCN Vth World Congress on Protected Areas, or IUCN Vth World Parks Congress as it has become known, is a 10 yearly event which provides the major global forum for setting the agenda for protected areas. Previous Congresses have had a tremendous impact in assisting national governments to create new protected areas, and direct more resources towards biodiversity conservation.

The Vth IUCN World Parks Congress was held in Durban, South Africa, from 8 to 17 September, 2003. Both Patrons of the Congress, former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize winner Mr Nelson Mandela and Her Majesty Queen Noor strongly endorsed the theme of the Congress,

"Benefits Beyond Boundaries"

The next IUCN World Parks Congress will be held in 2014.