IUCN experts take part in the key conferences and technical meetings of these conventions, working to ensure that decisions made are based on the latest science.
In its engagement with the Convention on Biological Diversity, the World Heritage Convention and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, IUCN has unparalleled expertise and is continually requested by governments to help implement these agreements.
IUCN supports many other global conventions such as the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.
IUCN at international events
IUCN has a long history of working with the international biodiversity-related conventions and was responsible for drafting many of them.
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
The Convention on Biological Diversity was inspired by the international community's growing commitment to sustainable development. It aims to ensure the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. With its access to the latest conservation science and considerable experience on the ground, IUCN can help ensure effective links between policy and practice.
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World Heritage Convention
Ahead of the annual World Heritage Committee meeting, IUCN submits its recommendations regarding the inscriptions of new sites following a rigorous evaluation process through which it works with IUCN Member organisations, scientific experts and independent feedback. We also submit 'state of conservation' reports for World Heritage sites under threat or sites that are already on the danger list, or that we consider should be.
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Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
Unsustainable trade in wildlife is a major threat to biodiversity as it concerns thousands of plant and animal species, and can push them close to extinction. This issue affects a wide range of live animals and plants as well as a vast array of products derived from them including food, fur, leather goods, musical instruments, timber, tourist souvenirs, perfumes, and medicines. CITES is both a conservation treaty and a trade treaty, aiming to ensure that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. IUCN works closely with TRAFFIC, the wildlife trade monitoring network in providing scientific and technical input to CITES.
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