International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) | The Arab Group for the Protection of Nature

IUCN is a Union Membership founded in 1948. As of today, it comprises over 1,400 Member organisations including States, NGOs, peoples' organisations, and scientific and academic institutions, with a mission to preserve the integrity and diversity of nature. 

Throughout our membership of over 16 years at IUCN, APN has pushed for the adoption of several resolutions towards the protection of natural resources and enhancing accountability and redress mechanisms for environmental crimes during armed conflict, especially in West Asia. Moreover, in 2016, APN was elected as a member of the Regional Committee - Western Asia for four years (2016-2020).

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Main Headlines:

  • We called for Gaza's protection amidst the genocide waged by the Israeli occupation during a webinar held by the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP) - South and East Asia, on 14 October 2023. (More)

  • On 10 September 2021, Al Jaajaa participated in a series of events organized by the IUCN Congress. During her interventions, Al Jaajaa stressed the importance of the new presidency to recognize the region's priorities and the violations of the Israeli occupation against natural resources and the environment. (More)

  • Based on APN’s initiative, IUCN held a meeting to review the developments of the fires initiated by Israel that took place over the northern Jordan Valley farming lands. The main aim was to push the Israeli entity to pay compensations to Jordanian farmers and prevent the recurrence of these crimes.  (More)

  • In April 2021, APN called on IUCN to activate its decision regarding holding the occupation accountable for its environmental crimes. (More

  • Upon being elected as a member of the Regional Committee for Western Asia throughout 2016-2020, the priorities of the region were laid out in a panel discussion during the 9th IUCN Regional Conference  that took place in Kuwait on September 2019.

  • In 2019, APN’s initiative succeeds in holding Israel accountable for its environmental violations in Lebanon.

  • In 2016, APN participated in the IUCN World Conservation Congress hosted by the State of Hawaii, led the submission of an urgent motion on ‘Enhancing Conservation in War-Torn West Asia’ and succeeded in including the region’s needs in the IUCN 4-year Work Plan.    

  • In 2008, APN pushed for the endorsement of Resolution (CGR4.MOT119.) on liability and compensation mechanisms for environmental crimes during armed conflicts. Similarly, in 2004, APN presented a motion on conservation in regions undergoing violent conflict in West Asia – strengthening IUCN’s ability to protect the natural and human environment. The motion passed as Resolution 3.046.