Overview
IUCN South Africa
(IUCN-SA) represents the Global Secretariat of
the World Conservation Union in South Africa and
forms part of IUCN’s Regional Office for
Southern Africa. Established in 1998 in order
to promote IUCN’s vision of a just
world that values and conserves nature
in the newly democratized South Africa, the Country
Office is located in Pretoria and fulfils a strategic
position in the Union’s network. Working
with Members and partners to promote an integrated
vision for development in South Africa, IUCN South
Africa has played an important role, both nationally
and regionally, in elevating environmental priorities
on agendas for sustainable development.
Governed by a set
of statutes, IUCN is a non-profit organization
founded under Swiss law as an international association
of governmental and non-governmental Members who
share a concern for the equitable and sustainable
use of natural resources. In South Africa, IUCN
is established in terms of an agreement with the
South African Government, registered in the Government
Gazette .
Through its membership of civil
society and government agencies, IUCN has a singular
ability to convene forums for democratic dialogue
around a range of issues on the global environmental
agenda. As a knowledge-based organization and
a global leader in conservation, IUCN provides
a platform for access to a diversity of credible
and cutting edge international and local information
in the fields of conservation and development.
Drawing on these unique characteristics
of the Union, IUCN South Africa has developed
activities and programmes to further its mandate
in South Africa and to enhance the work of its
Members and partners. IUCN South Africa also provides
technical and scientific support services to a
range of government agencies, NGOs and the private
sector, aimed at promoting the values and vision
that IUCN shares with these partners.
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