Honolulu, Hawaii, September 10, 2016

The IUCN World Conservation Congress concluded in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA on September 10, 2016. The Congress brought together over 9,000 delegates from over 160 countries. These included State and Government representatives, NGOs environmentalists and scientists, technical specialists and media correspondents.

Comprising two parts i.e. a Forum, followed by a Members’ Assembly, the Congress comprehensively covered virtually every major aspect of environmental issues. Based on the theme; “Planet at the cross-roads”, the Congress adopted over 100 Resolutions on a wide range of subjects and situations that require immediate as well as long term actions to protect endangered species, promote sustainable livelihoods and combat the threats of climate change.

IUCN is the world’s oldest and largest environmental organization with exclusive Observer Status at the United Nations. It is the only global forum in which both States/governments and NGOs are Members. Over 16000 scientists provide data and analysis to its six Commissions.

During hundreds of workshops and panel discussions and at pavilions in a large Exhibition at the Congress venue, delegates presented new scientific data , reviewed actions taken since the previous Congress in 2012 in South Korea ,conducted lively discussions , formulated new plans and targets for the next 4 years .

Pakistan was well-represented at the Congress and rendered a prominent role in this global event . Participants from the country made substantive contributions to debates and discussions.

Over 50 delegates, from both the Government and the NGO sectors included Mr. Syed Abu Ahmad Akif, Federal Secretary, Ministry of Climate Change, Mr. Yousuf Naseem Khokhar, Federal Secretary, Planning & Development , and Mr. Iqbal Nafees Khokhar, Director General, Sindh Coastal Development Authority.

From the NGO sector , Pakistani delegates included Malik Amin Aslam , former Minister of State for Environment , who was re-elected as Regional Councillor, Asia for the 2016-2020 term and who presided over an important session as Vice President ;  Ashiq Ahmed Khan ,former senior Forestry official who became the first South Asian to receive the prestigious Kenton Miller Award for his services in the Khunjerab National Park and in Chitral; former Federal Minister and former IUCN Vice President Senator ( R ) Javed Jabbar who served on the Congress Governance Committee and hosted the workshop on saving Vultures in South Asia ; Shahid Sayeed Khan, CEO  of Indus Trust whose Motion calling for Astola Island to be declared a marine protected area was adopted as a Congress  Resolution ; Amjad Rashid, Chairman, Pakistan National Committee of IUCN Members ; Meher Noshirwani , Regional Vice Chair of the IUCN Commission on Economic and Social Policy ; Regional Vice Chair of the Commission on Ecosystem Management, Dr. Muhammad Zaheer Khan.

Pakistan was also prominently represented in the Congress by the IUCN staff team, led by Ms. Aban Marker Kabraji, IUCN Regional Director Asia, Mr. Mahmood Akhtar Cheema, IUCN Country Representatives and IUCN Pakistan staff.

For more information, please contact:

George Sadiq
Programme Officer
Education Communication and Outreach
Cell: 0301-2931184
E-mail: george.sadiq@iucn.org