International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a global organization working in the field of nature conservation and sustainable use of natural resources, launched its Bangladesh chapter on Monday. Planning minister M A Mannan inaugurated the launching of its national committee for Bangladesh at a city hotel and expressed his hope that the IUCN can play a vital role to influence, encourage and assist society’s integrity and diversity of nature.
Hasna Jasimuddin Moudud, chairman of IUCN Bangladesh national committee, at the program hoped that government will make effective plans for the conservation of biodiversity of blue economy. Sharmeen S Murshid, executive member of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), also an IUCN national committee member, said they would advocate for nature-based solution for ecological policy approaches.
IUCN will conduct action research, and develop community based sustainable models of conservation; where people, not profiteers, politicians or public servants will lead the way, he added.National River Conservation Commission (NRCC) Chairman Dr Muzibur Rahman Howlader also spoke at the programme. IUCN is involved in data gathering and analysis, research, field projects, advocacy and education. IUCN’s mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.
IUCN has a membership of over 1400 governmental and non-governmental organizations. Some 16,000 scientists and experts participate in the work of IUCN commissions on a voluntary basis. It employs approximately 1000 full-time staff in more than 50 countries. Its headquarters are in Gland, Switzerland. IUCN has observer and consultative status at the United Nations, and plays a role in the implementation of several international conventions on nature conservation and biodiversity. IUCN was established in 1948.