National, regional and interregional committees

IUCN’s National, Regional and Interregional Committees can be very different in nature. Some of the Member Committees work to jointly implement projects, whereas others are predominantly vehicles for exchange and networking. The Committees range in size and some even have established secretariats.

Regional Members’ Meetings, such as the Regional Conservation Forums, are usually organised jointly by the Regional Committees and the Secretariat. These offer Members the opportunity to contribute to the development and implementation of the quadrennial IUCN Programme and policy, as well as to prepare them for the World Conservation Congress, the highest organ of IUCN.

Photo: Sarah Over

The Global Group for National and Regional Committee Development has just published its updated 2023 Global Directory of National, Regional and Interregional Committees.  The document aims to give an overview of the work of recognised National, Regional and Interregional Committees around the world. 

Joining National, Regional and Interregional Committees

Every IUCN Member has the right to join the respective National Committee of its State and participate in the election of only one Regional Committee.

The IUCN Statutes and Regulations provide more information on National and Regional Committees. 

Support materials for the establishment and official recognition of Committees are available via your relevant Membership Focal Point.

Committee contacts

IUCN Members, National and Regional Committees, Commission members, Councillors and staff can find the full contact details for existing National and Regional Committees and their officers, on the Union Portal.

External organisations or persons wishing to contact IUCN National or Regional Committees can do so via the relevant Membership Focal Point.

National, Regional and Interregional Committees

Officially recognised Regional Committees of IUCN Members:

Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Committee
West and Central Africa Regional Committee
North Africa Regional Committee
Meso America Regional Committee
South America Regional Committee
Caribbean Regional Committee
South and East Asia Regional Committee
West Asia Regional Committee

Officially recognised Interregional Committees of the IUCN Members:

Europe, North and Central Asia Interregional Committee

Officially recognised National Committees of IUCN Members in: 

Argentina; Australia; Bangladesh; Benin; Bolivia; Botswana; Brazil; Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cambodia; Cameroon; Canada; Chile; Colombia; Congo (ROC); Costa Rica; Denmark; Dominican Republic; Ecuador; El Salvador; Finland; France; Guatemala; Guinea Bissau; Honduras; Hungary; India; Israel; Italy; Japan; Jordan; Kenya; Korea (RK); Kuwait; Lebanon; Malawi; Mali; Mexico; Morocco; Mozambique; Nepal; New Zealand; Nicaragua; Pakistan; Palestine; Panama; Paraguay; Peru; Poland; Russia; Senegal; South Africa; Spain; Sri Lanka; Sweden; Switzerland; Thailand; The Netherlands; Tunisia; Turkey; Uganda; United Arab Emirates; United Kingdom; United States; Viet Nam; and Zimbabwe.