68 years of IUCN World Conservation Congresses held in all corners of the world.
In the past, Congresses were held every two years, then every three, and now they are held every four years. Initially, the Congress only consisted of the Members’ Assembly of all IUCN member organisations. Since 1996, the Congress has grown to include the Forum, open to all, to debate major sustainable development issues, propose solutions and facilitate the sharing of information and experiences.
2012 Jeju | 1975 Kinshasa | |
2008 Barcelona | 1972 Banff | |
2004 Bangkok | 1969 New Delhi | |
2000 Amman | 1966 Lucerne | |
1996 Montreal | 1963 Nairobi | |
1994 Buenos Aires | 1960 Warsaw | |
1990 Perth | 1958 Athens | |
1988 San José | 1956 Edinburgh | |
1984 Madrid | 1954 Copenhagen | |
1981 Christchurch | 1952 Caracas | |
1978 Ashkhabad | 1950 Brussels | |
1977 Geneva (extra ordinary session) | 1948 Fontainebleau |
Venue Selection
Traditionally, a World Conservation Congress is hosted by one of IUCN’s State Members. Preference is given to countries and regions that have not hosted a Congress in recent years.
Invitations to express interest in hosting the Congress are generally sent to IUCN State Members and Governmental Agencies three to four years before the next Congress. More information on the selection process for 2016 can be found here.