Motion 049

This motion seeks to address the increasing threats to civic spaces, which are essential for effective conservation and governance. Civic spaces, including those where Indigenous Peoples’ Organizations (IPOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other IUCN members and allies operate, are facing growing risks due to violence, repression, and restrictions on freedom of association and speech.
These spaces are crucial for the implementation of global conservation initiatives, particularly the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and for the overall success of IUCN’s mission.

While previous IUCN Resolutions have addressed human rights and conservation, this motion specifically focuses on the growing threats to civic spaces, which have not been fully covered before. It highlights the risks faced by civil society organizations, human rights defenders, and other stakeholders, which directly affect IUCN Members' ability to contribute effectively to global conservation efforts.

Alternative approaches are insufficient to address the scale of the threats facing civic spaces. This motion provides a clear and structured way forward, ensuring that the protection of civic spaces is integrated into IUCN’s strategic objectives and that IUCN Members can actively participate in the implementation of the GBF Targets and SDGs. By taking decisive action through this motion, IUCN can help safeguard the foundation for effective conservation and the continued participation of civil society in these critical efforts.

This motion outlines urgent actions, including the development of a protocol for immediate assistance to affected IUCN Members and the creation of a monitoring system to detect early warning signs of threats to civic spaces. These actions are designed to ensure that IUCN Members can continue their critical work without fear of violence or reprisal. Moreover, the motion calls for the mobilization of financial and technical resources, including capacity-building programs and partnerships, to support affected Members and strengthen civic space globally.