23 February 2011 | News story
With a little over 18 months to go until the next IUCN World
Conservation Congress kicks off in Jeju, IUCN and the Republic of Korea today launch the logo and theme of the Congress.
The Republic of Korea also today officially launches their Organizing Committee for the Congress, headed by Mr Hongkoo Lee from the Seoul Forum for International Affairs with Mr Maanee Lee, Minister of Environment, as vice-Chair.
The stunning new logo represents nature and its beauty in a positive and enlightening way. The colourful symbol, evoking at the same time a flower and a bird, also incorporates traditional indigenous Korean patterns.
The IUCN Congress will bring together people from all sectors, and from over the world, to debate, discuss and decide on real on-the-ground change for people and nature.
The Congress theme is to be Nature+, a simple and memorable slogan that captures the fundamental importance of nature and its inherent link to every aspect of our lives.
Nature is naturally strong. Even the most delicate looking plant, animal or ecosystem is relatively tough, their survival instincts honed over generations of evolution. But many years of human civilization have undermined our environment and the fundamental natural infrastructure that supports our lives, communities and economies.
Nature+ is about boosting the resilience of nature – improving how quickly nature and people adapt to change. Better use of the inherent robustness of nature leads to healthier natural systems, better results from ecosystem and biodiversity restoration, and healthier people, communities and economies.
The Congress will explore many of our most pressing environmental and development challenges from this perspective and how strong and resilient nature is intricately linked to solving these issues. Nature+climate; nature+livelihoods; nature+energy; nature+economics: these are just some of the issues that the IUCN Congress will address.
The IUCN World Conservation Congress is the world’s largest and most important conservation event. Held every four years, the Congress aims to improve how we manage our natural environment for human, social and economic development.
The IUCN Congress will be held from 6 to 15 September 2012 at the International Convention Center (ICC) in Jeju, Republic of Korea.
