IUCN and National Geographic Society Join Forces for IUCN World Conservation Congre 06

Gland, Switzerland, and Washington, D.C. (May 4, 2016n)-The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the National Geographic Society are joining forces in advance of the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016, which, for the first time, will take place in the United States from September 1-10 in Hawai i. Working together, IUCN and the National Geographic Society will draw attention to the pressing conservation issues facing our planet as well as to proposed solutions to solve them - all the while raising the profile of IUCN and its mission.

The IUCN/National Geographic Society creative content partnership is based upon a shared commitment to improving the world through science, exploration and education and to preserving and protecting the Earth's myriad species and ecosystems for generations to come.

The National Geographic Society is uniquely positioned to support the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016 through its global network of researchers and Explorers and its unmatched storytelling platforms, said IUCN Director General Inger Andersen. Combining IUCN's convening power with one of IUCN's most recognizable Members is sure to inspire bold conservation action at a time when the world needs it most.

The National Geographic Society will have a visible presence at the IUCN Congress. As part of the partnership, the Society will create a series of short, shareable videos highlighting the crucial conservation and development issues considered by IUCN Members at this year's Congress. In addition, the Society will create the Congress' opening video, which will set the tone for the 10-day event and inspire all those present - from world leaders to non-governmental organizations - to ensure a sustainable future for the planet and all who call it home. National Geographic's tremendous digital presence will provide an additional mechanism for sharing outcomes from the Congress.

Drawing attention to the pressing conservation issues facing our planet is at the core of National Geographic's mission-driven work, said Gary E. Knell, president and CEO of the National Geographic Society. The upcoming Congress presents an unparalleled opportunity for the Society and IUCN to combine resources to pave the way for a more sustainable future.

The IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016 marks the first global conservation and sustainable development event since the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement and the adoption of the 2015 Sustainable Development Goals. The Congress will bring together some 8,000 to 10,000 delegates - including heads of state, top policymakers, CEOs, global business leaders, leading scientists, field technicians and civil society organizations - to define sustainable options to implement last year's historic global agreements.

The National Geographic Society is one of IUCN's more than 1,300 Member organizations. Members include government and civil society representation from more than 170 countries.

Media registration is now open for the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2016. There is no registration fee for accredited media.

About IUCN

IUCN is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organizations. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its 1,300 Member organizations and the input of some 15,000 experts. IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. www.iucn.org; www.iucnworldconservationcongress.org

About the National Geographic Society

The National Geographic Society is a global nonprofit organization driven by a passionate belief in the power of science, exploration, education and storytelling to change the world. The Society funds hundreds of research and conservation projects around the globe each year and works to inspire, illuminate and teach through scientific expeditions, award-winning journalism and education initiatives. For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.org.

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