Motion 086

The Objectives of IUCN are : “to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable” (Article 2, IUCN Statutes). Among the mechanisms to attain these Objectives is: “provide scientific and other authoritative information, including traditional ecological knowledge, in the form of assessments, analysis, and advice on the status and trends of nature and natural resources, including on threats, human behaviour, conservation measures and future scenarios” (Article 3 (g)). Article 3 bis states: “In working towards the objectives outlined in Article 3 (g) of the Statutes, the IUCN Secretariat and the IUCN Commissions are required to uphold high standards of scientific work and other knowledge systems and will be free from undue influence or conflict of interest in this regard.”

IUCN is unusually well-placed to undertake the type of work outlined in Article 3 (g) because of its broad membership (including national governments, subnational governments, non-governmental organisations, and indigenous peoples organisations) and access to outstanding expertise through its 7 Commissions.

Since 2010, several important assessments and analyses by IUCN of complex and controversial topics have been published, including, but not limited to:
• IUCN situation analysis on East and Southeast Asian intertidal habitats, with particular reference to the Yellow Sea (including the Bohai Sea) (2012);
• Biodiversity offsets technical study paper (2014);
• Oil palm and biodiversity (2018);
• Genetic frontiers in conservation (2019);
• Unselective, unsustainable, and unmonitored trawl fisheries? (2024).

As a result of preparing assessments and analyses such as those referred to above, IUCN (both in the Commissions and Secretariat) has gained significant expertise and understanding on how to develop and carry out such work in a professional, objective, independent and fair manner. It would be very helpful if this important expertise and experience could be summarised in the form of clear policies and procedures for undertaking IUCN assessments and analyses. It is also essential that the experience gained in recent years is not inadvertently lost in the event of staff turnover or changes in Commission memberships, especially as IUCN work in pursuance Article 3 (g) is could very well increase in the coming years.