Source: IUCN

While the extinction crisis intensifies, the 3rd IUCN World Conservation Congress has shown how reliable information and extensive know-how, a deep-rooted passion for life in all its forms, and powerful collaboration with all sectors of society can improve the well-being of six billion people and the 15,589 species identified in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

The past nine days underlined the concrete benefits of conservation action to poverty reduction and a healthy planet, and the effectiveness of the approaches and tools we have at our disposal. With huge areas of wilderness being lost every day, 1.4 billion people living along rivers with serious water shortages, glaciers and polar caps melting due to a 0.6 oC increase in temperature, the conservation movement now invites the world: work with us to reverse the trend.

Participants heard the world's latest scientific knowledge presented, saw landmark initiatives launched, took part in high-level debates, signed a number of agreements, and voted on over 100 resolutions on critical conservation issues, ranging from Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) to the conservation of our oceans.

"The decisions taken in Bangkok have the power to affect every single one of us," said IUCN Director General, Achim Steiner. "They have demonstrated the role of conservation in peace building, poverty eradication, food and water security, health and spirituality, and economic development. The global environmental agenda in 2004 is more than just a manifesto; it is a concern of global relevance and collective responsibility."

Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado, Honorary President of BirdLife International, implored humankind to deal with the underlying causes of species loss and "think about the state of the world in the same way that we consider our own health".

This premier conservation event attracted 4,899 people from all walks of life and from across the globe, including almost 1,000 of the world's leading scientists, over 200 business representatives, more than 40 Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Environment, Agriculture, Tourism and Fisheries, as well as hundreds of environmental activists, community and religious leaders.

Forum trilogy puts conservation on the world's big screen

The three-day World Conservation Forum demonstrated successes in the conservation of coral reefs, wetlands and the southern white rhino, tabled agreements for concrete action and recognized individuals and institutions for their contribution to conservation.

"In the 1950s we predicted that the world's natural resources and biodiversity were showing signs of serious degradation. Today, we have a body of evidence that is irrefutable and validates our hypothesis that the planet's resources are used well beyond the levels of sustainability," said Mr Steiner.

Cutting-edge science

State-of-the-art findings set the stage for the debate at the Congress, including:

15,589 animals and plants face extinction, shown by the 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species;

More than 300 bird species in Asia are threatened due to logging, farming and development;

Poor people are most reliant on natural resources, which provide up to 50% of household income. Asia has half the world's population and two thirds of the world's poor. The Sekong forest in Cambodia yields US$ 398 to US$ 525 per household from various foodstuffs and forest products, in an area where average income is US$ 120.

Although 58% of the world's coral reefs are endangered, some progress has been made in preserving these marine marvels;

The state of the oceans once more came under scrutiny, as a scientific study revealed that the long-term survival of reef fish, such as groupers and wrasses, retailing at around US$130/kg , is threatened by trade;

The Millennium Ecosystem Assessment - the largest study of its kind involving over 1,000 leading scientists and policy makers - tells us that only four of 22 assessed ecosystem services, such as water purification, have been enhanced through human action, whilst more than half have been degraded;

The monetary value of freshwater ecosystems has shown to change management decisions in 29 cases, including in the Muthurajawela Marsh in Sri Lanka and the Luang Marsh in Lao PDR. In both cases, the marsh provides an equivalent of US$ 5 million-worth of water purification infrastructure; and

Energy experts who discussed trends and future scenarios agreed that continuing reliance on fossil fuels is not an option. They highlighted that less than 4% of the annual US$240 billion global energy subsidies is being allocated to renewable energy sources, whilst about two-thirds are spent on fossil fuels.

Partnerships for innovation

The Congress showed an unprecedented level of business sector participation. "We moved from the 'dialogue of the deaf' to a collaboration with entrepreneurs and business: this shows that biodiversity and sustainability is as important to business as it is to us," said Joshua Bishop, IUCN Senior Advisor.

The gathering unveiled many important new initiatives - direct actions in furtherance of IUCN's mandate:

An information-sharing agreement between NASA and IUCN opens the door to the use of satellite data to advance worldwide conservation efforts;

A US$ 3 million donation from Oracle to the Species Information Service will transform environmental decision-making through better information systems;

Business and conservation put forward a joint commitment to prevent the earth from warming beyond the 2°C threshold, with the impacts of the current 0.6°C increase in global temperature a grim forecast of what's in store for the planet.

Developing countries currently bear up to 90% of the impacts of climate change;

Viet Nam and Lao PDR signed a public commitment to work against the illegal wildlife trade across their border, whilst leading lawmakers from across Asia discussed strengthening cooperation;

IUCN and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to reinforce collaboration on poverty alleviation and sustainable development;

An unprecedented meeting of Mekong Region Ministers and civil society representatives saw an open dialogue about the challenges of transboundary water politics and reported signs of increasing cooperation;

The development of a framework for transboundary conservation management was noted as a priority by the Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

A coalition of leading environmental organizations committed to sharing data, information and knowledge via a Conservation Commons initiative;

Business association with environmentalists came to the fore in the presentation of the One Planet Living initiative, a proposal to create major new sustainable communities whilst conserving and recovering thousands of hectares of woodland and wildlife habitat;

The National Security Council of Thailand launched the "forest-earth-water" plan which seeks to maintain biodiversity, peoples' livelihoods and peace amongst different religious beliefs in Thailand. On the banks of the Palian River in Trang Province, 80% of the upstream population is Buddhist whilst 90% of those living downstream are Muslim.

Recognition of environmental excellence

Global prizes and medals presented to individuals and projects for their outstanding contribution to the health of the planet during the Congress include:

Her Imperial Highness Princess Takamado, Honorary President of BirdLife International presented an IUCN gold medal to Her Majesty Queen Sirikit of Thailand at the opening ceremony for her continued efforts in conservation;

The IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Peter Scott Award for Conservation Merit for longstanding, significant contributions to conservation was awarded to: the Chair of the IUCN/SSC Red List Committee, Dr Georgina Mace; IUCN/SSC Plant Conservation Committee Co-Chair, Dr David Given; and Chair of the Asian Rhino Specialist Group, Dr Mohd Khan b Momin Khan;

The newly-created Harry Messel Award for Conservation Leadership was given to Dr Perran Ross of the SSC Crocodile Specialist Group and Patricia Medici, Chair of the SSC Tapir Specialist Group;

Mr Tom Knudson received the global 2004 Reuters-IUCN Award for Excellence in Environmental Reporting for his article "State of Denial", published in the Sacramento Bee;

The SEED Award - Supporting Entrepreneurs for Environment and Development was presented to Occupational Knowledge International (OK International), based in San Francisco, launching an innovative partnership to reduce lead pollution in India and other developing countries;

The Swiss reinsurer Swiss Re awarded a land reform project in Viet Nam US $ 75,000 for the sound use and management of watersheds;

To underline the importance of women in natural resource management, a global campaign to "Plant A Tree for Peace" was launched in honour of Her Majesty Queen Sirikiti of Thailand and to celebrate Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai.

The seven winners of Conservation International's Biodiversity Reporting Award 2004 were honoured for their outstanding efforts to bring environmental issues to the public; and

Scholarships for young professionals to attend training seminars were announced by the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas.

Decisions on major conservation policies and actions

The IUCN Members Business Assembly voted on over 100 Resolutions and Recommendations on critical conservation policies and actions. Some of the major decisions are that IUCN:

calls for a moratorium on the further release of genetically modified organisms;

establishes the World Conservation Learning Network to build capacity of conservation and development professionals;

will work to conserve the Critically Endangered vulture species: long-billed (Gyps indicus), slender-billed (Gyps tenuirostris) and white-rumped (Gyps bengalensis) in South and Southeast Asia;

pursues activities for the conservation of biodiversity in the severely degraded Aral Sea basin;

will put into practice, within its Programme and within the framework of its Mission and Vision, actions that contribute to combating poverty through nature conservation;

addresses the conservation and sustainable management of high seas biodiversity;

will work with indigenous peoples, especially in the management and establishment of protected areas;

invites France, Italy and Switzerland to inscribe Mont Blanc on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Conservation leaders

With hundreds of high-level delegates addressing the Congress, there was no shortage of sound bites:

Kofi Annan, through an address delivered by the Under Secretary General of the United Nations , Dr Kim Hak-Su, stressed the importance of the Congress and said he welcomed its views on ways to attain the United Nations Millennium Development Goal on environmental sustainability. "Every country, and every individual, has a responsibility to change - to move from an era of exploitation to an ethic of stewardship. We have the science and the green technologies to begin the job today."

Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Wangari Maathai, though a video address, invited Congress participants to share in the glory of her Prize and spread the message of the importance of sustainable environmental management, good governance and equity for peace.

"I am particularly pleased that the high-level round tables provided an opportunity for the Ministers and other key players to get together and chart our future. The Mekong and Asian Environment Round Tables were very useful to Thailand and its neighbours," said His Excellency Suwit Khunkitti, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, Thailand.

Dr Luc Hoffmann, who received the John C Phillips Medal for excellence in conservation, said: "IUCN can be considered the legitimate voice of a civil society deeply concerned about the state of our planet."

"The scope and magnitude of this event has surpassed everyone's expectations. This Congress has reinforced IUCN's role as one of the world's premier conveners. It offered a clear focus for conservation in the years ahead - ecosystem management, biodiversity loss, poverty and livelihoods," said Achim Steiner.

Singer Sting's short film told participants that the Congress theme: People and Nature - only one world, "resonated with him as an artist" and underscored the responsibility of humans towards all species and future generations.

In his closing remarks, IUCN's newly-elected President, Mr Valli Moosa, said: "We need to engage, involve and reach out to more people: young, old, rich, poor, urban, rural, scientist and layperson. It is from diversity that we gain our strength and political niche, and our unique moral authority."