IUCN was established in 1948 as IUPN (International Union for the Protection of Nature) but changed its name in 1956. The IUCN (The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources) is the world’s largest conservation network. It brings together 82 countries, individual governmental and non-governmental (among which commercial) organisations and 10,000 experts and scientists. IUCN is based in Gland on Lake Geneva in Switzerland.

The purpose of IUCN is to encourage societies to preserve purity and diversity of nature and to provide assistance in this respect. IUCN also strives for ecologically sustainable use of natural resources.

With its scientific expertise, IUCN plays a vital role in advising on the inscription of natural and mixed heritage sites on the World Heritage List. IUCN also reports on the findings of the periodic reporting and monitoring of existing sites and contributes to the Global Strategy.

IUCN
Rue Mauverney, 28
Gland
CH 1196
Switzerland
www.iucn.org/en/about/