Proceedings:Layout 1 30/03/2009 12:55 Page a Proceedings of the Members’ Assembly World Conservation Congress, Barcelona, 5–14 October 2008 Proceedings:Layout 1 30/03/2009 12:55 Page b “The Congress surpassed all our expectations. In fact, it was a real turning point for us and we now talk of life before the Congress and life after the Congress.” Matías Gómez & Manuel Umpíerrez, young Park Rangers, Uruguay Proceedings:Layout 1 30/03/2009 12:55 Page i Proceedings of the Members’ Assembly World Conservation Congress, Barcelona, 5–14 October 2008 Proceedings:Layout 1 30/03/2009 12:55 Page ii Proceedings:Layout 1 30/03/2009 12:55 Page iii Proceedings of the Members’ Assembly World Conservation Congress, Barcelona, 5–14 October 2008 Compiled and edited by Tim Jones Chief Rapporteur to the Barcelona Congress Proceedings:Layout 1 30/03/2009 12:55 Page iv The designation of geographical entities in this book, and the presentation of the material, do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of IUCN concerning the legal status of any country, territory, or area, or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The views expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect those of IUCN. Published by: IUCN, Gland, Switzerland Copyright: © 2009 International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources Reproduction of this publication for educational or other non-commercial purposes is authorized without prior written permission from the copyright holder provided the source is fully acknowledged. Reproduction of this publication for resale or other commercial purposes is prohibited without prior written permission of the copyright holder. Citation: IUCN (2009). Proceedings of the Members’ Assembly. Gland, Switzerland: IUCN. vi + 51 pp. ISBN 978-2-8317-1099-0 Layout by: Tim Davis, DJEnvironmental, Berrynarbor, Devon, UK Printed by: Atar Roto Presse SA, Geneva, Switzerland Available from: IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Publications Services Rue Mauverney 28 1196 Gland Switzerland Tel +41 22 999 0000 Fax +41 22 999 0020 [email protected] www.iucn.org/publications A catalogue of IUCN publications is also available. The text of this book is printed on paper made from wood fibre from well-managed forests certified in accordance with the rules of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). The compiler would like to thank the many colleagues from the IUCN Commissions and Secretariat who provided invaluable assistance with rapportage at the Congress and with the finalization of these Proceedings. Special thanks to Deborah Murith of IUCN’s Publications Services unit for proof-reading and editorial support. Proceedings:Layout 1 30/03/2009 12:55 Page v Contents Foreword ....................................................................................................................................1 Vote of thanks to the host country ..............................................................................................3 Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................4 Minutes of the Members’ Assembly of the 4th IUCN World Conservation Congress .....................5 Annex 1 – Conclusions from the World Conservation Forum, 6–9 October 2008.......................48 Proceedings:Layout 1 30/03/2009 12:55 Page vi The greenhouse gas emissions arising from the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Barcelona were estimated at 7934 tons of CO2 equivalents. With the help of Congress participants and donors, IUCN was able to offset 100% of these estimated emissions. Proceedings:Layout 1 30/03/2009 12:55 Page 1 World Conservation Congress / Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain 5–14 October 2008 Foreword by the President of IUCN, Valli Moosa First and foremost, on behalf of all members and staff Other high profile commitments that were made to sup- of IUCN, I wish to express our deepest gratitude to the port our mission during the ten days of the Congress in- Royal Household of Spain, the Ministry of the Environ- cluded: ment and Rural and Marine Affairs of Spain, the Gener- alitat de Catalunya, the City Council of Barcelona and the l The Alcoa Foundation announcing a US$ 9 million Diputació de Barcelona for your generous and constant five-year extension of its Sustainability Fellows support to the World Conservation Congress. You were Programme; fundamental to the success of this event. l Nokia, WWF and IUCN committing to continue work on the social platform network, The World Conservation Forum involved more than Connect2Earth, to engage youth in environmental 7,000 participants in 972 activities: seven high-level issues; roundtable discussions, numerous workshops, receptions l The improvement of women’s access to electricity and debates hosted in nine thematic pavilions, and 160 and reduced dependence on biofuels through EN- exhibitions. There was an International Women Entre- ERGIA; preneurs’ Fair, the inspirational ‘Sailing to Barcelona’ ini- l A commitment by Francophone governments to bet- tiative, conservation cinema, dozens of learning ter integrate biodiversity issues into their develop- opportunities, a book store and countless informal ment policy; events. l A pledge by Russia to protect 80 million hectares; l An agreement by Sumatran provinces to stop clear- During the Members’ Assembly, 138 motions were de- ing old-growth forest; liberated and voted on. These will significantly influence l Google launching an interactive map of marine pro- international environmental policy in the short, medium tected areas; and long-term. The IUCN membership also elected l The establishment by National Geographic and the Ashok Khosla as the Union’s new President, together UN Foundation of the first long-term streaming sys- with a new governing body, and approved the 2009–2012 tem that connects anyone, anywhere, to a coral reef IUCN work programme. in Belize; l The creation of the International Association of The concrete commitments made during the Congress Wildlife Magazines to coordinate conservation from various sectors are also impressive. Our Congress campaigns; helped to generate significant new funding for conserva- l The announcement by the Government of Paraguay tion, amounting to some US$ 125 million. This includes to zero net deforestation by 2020; and US$ 50 million from the MacArthur Foundation to work l An agreement by regional Heads of State to hold a with conservation groups to enable communities to adapt summit at Manado, Sulawesi in May 2009 to launch to climate change, the Mohammed Zayed Conservation the Coral Triangle Initiative to protect the world’s Fund with US$ 33 million for species conservation, US$ richest coral reefs. 10 million from the Global Environment Facility to help generate at least matching funds from the private sector The World Conservation Congress marked the end of to conserve species used in corporate branding, US$ 15 my term as President of IUCN. I leave with deep grati- million for the Water for Nature Initiative, and US$ 12 tude for having had the opportunity to serve this mag- million for IUCN’s Framework Agreement with the Gov- nificent Union and helping it move a step closer to ernment of France. Of course, not all of this is for accomplishing its mission. IUCN – our members and Commissions now have some new funding opportunities. Valli Moosa 1 Proceedings:Layout 1 30/03/2009 12:55 Page 2 Proceedings:Layout 1 30/03/2009 12:55 Page 3 World Conservation Congress / Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain 5–14 October 2008 Resolution 4.106 Vote of thanks to the host country NOTING that the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2. CONVEYS its deepest thanks to His Royal Highness at its 4th Session has brought together close to 8,000 par- Prince of Asturias for his presence and for officially ticipants from 179 countries, more than ever before in opening the Congress; the history of IUCN; 3. ACKNOWLEDGES with gratitude the invaluable MINDFUL of the importance of identifying appropriate support of the Congress hosts: the Ministry of the facilities and of ensuring the smooth logistical running Environment and Rural and Marine Affairs, the De- of such a large gathering; partment of Environment and Housing of the Gen- eralitat de Catalunya, Barcelona City Council and AWARE that a number of new arrangements were in- Barcelona Provincial Council for their institutional troduced, such as the reduction in the use of paper, the support and generous financial contributions that concept of ‘journeys’ to organize the Forum programme, made this Congress possible, and to the Spanish Pavilions exhibition and Learning Opportunities, and that Agency for International Cooperation and Develop- these and other innovations presented challenges for the ment for its financial support that allowed the par- venue and local organizers; ticipation of IUCN members from developing countries; RESPECTFUL of the fact that this gathering of close to 8,000 participants could only occur with the support 4. APPLAUDS the hard work and efforts of the offi- of a large team of volunteers, workers and sponsors; and cials and supporting staff of the host administra- tions, local sponsors, the staff of CCIB and the local GRATEFULLY ACKNOWLEDGING that these con- volunteers who gave so generously of their time to ditions were fully met during the present meeting held in make this Congress a success; the Centre de Convencions Internacional de Barcelona (CCIB); 5. CONVEYS its thanks to the people of Barcelona,