Hosted in Bangkok, the Third IUCN World Conservation Congress took as its theme, “People and Nature – Only One World.” The Congress attracted more than 4,800 participants, including over 40 Ministers, 1,000 scientists, and numerous participants from business, industry, and the non-profit sector.

The Congress comprised three main elements: the Commissions at Work, which met from 15-17 November to assess the work of IUCN’s six Commissions; the World Conservation Forum, which convened from 18-20 November to take stock of biodiversity conservation; and the Members’ Business Assembly, which took place from 21-25 November to address governance, policy and programmatic issues of IUCN.
During the two-week Congress, participants were presented with the world’s latest scientific knowledge, while high-level roundtables brought together ministers and senior representatives from the business and NGO sectors to discuss a range of conservation and sustainable development challenges. At the conclusion of the Congress, IUCN members approved 118 resolutions and recommendations aimed at improving the governance, programmes and policies of the Union. Members also elected their new Council, with Mohammed Valli Moosa (South Africa) as their new President.
The resolutions and recommendations addressed a series of topics, including: a call for a moratorium on the further release of genetically modified organisms; the establishment of the World Conservation Learning Network to build the capacity of conservation and development professionals; actions that contribute to combating poverty through nature conservation; conservation and sustainable management of high seas biodiversity; and work with indigenous peoples, particularly in the establishment and management of protected areas.
Links to further information
The Sustainable Developments report
IUCN Congress website
Special issue of the IUCN Bulletin
Bridges Trade Biores, Special World Conservation Congress Update, 20 November 2004