The year 2023 held particular significance, marking the 75th anniversary of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Founded on October 5, 1948, in Fontainebleau, IUCN today occupies a prominent position in promoting the state of nature and developing crucial measures for its protection.
To celebrate this milestone, I envisioned organizing a celebration of IUCN’s 75th anniversary at the very place of its genesis: at the Château de Fontainebleau on November 14, 2023. With its dynamism and the interests it represents, this event was co-organized by the French Committee of IUCN and the French government. The current president of IUCN, Razan Al Mubarak, marked this event with her presence, emphasizing in her speech the ongoing commitment to biodiversity protection.
This anniversary was a unique opportunity to reflect on the journey traveled. Over the past 75 years, IUCN has played an essential role in promoting global conservation efforts. Since its inception, the organization has led deep ethical reflections and has been at the forefront of promoting strong values that influenced the creation of major international agreements. Crucial agreements such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), and the Agreement on the Conservation of High Seas have been shaped by IUCN’s contributions.
The 75th anniversary of IUCN also serves as an occasion to ponder the new challenges and opportunities in the field of nature conservation. The organization is exploring innovative avenues to address current challenges, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and the sustainability of natural resources. The need for global collaboration to create sustainable solutions remains at the heart of IUCN’s concerns.
Celebrating 75 years of IUCN at the Château de Fontainebleau provides an opportune moment to pay tribute to past achievements while looking towards the future. IUCN continues to be a cornerstone in defending our planet, and under the leadership of Razan Al Mubarak, it remains steadfast in creating a future where nature thrives alongside humanity. As we celebrate this significant anniversary, we are called to strengthen our commitment to nature conservation and redouble efforts to preserve the biological richness of our planet for future generations.
Twenty-five years ago, to celebrate IUCN’s 50th anniversary, Martin Holdgate wrote, “One of the main values of history is that it reflects the past as a lesson for the future.” Thus, how do we think about transmission and implement it? How do we make our heritage shine in this globalized and monetized system? How do we achieve a universal agreement around a moral foundation shared by diverse and complex populations?
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