governance improvements and reforms council’s work to enhance effective governance of the union

Governance improvements and reforms

Council’s work to enhance effective governance of the Union(2009-2012)

Presentation for the Regional Conservation Forums

International Union for Conservation of Nature World Conservation Congress 2012

Council’s objectives with governance reforms:

• Enhance the effective and efficient governance of the Union

• Act upon the governance-related decisions of the Barcelona Congress (2008)

• Carry forward the governance improvements and reforms initiated by past IUCN Councils


Governance improvements & reforms 2009-2012:

Outline of the presentation:

1. A Union fit for the future: advancing a Members’ vision for the future governance of IUCN[discussion]

2. Changing IUCN’s statutory regions3. Including local and regional governmental

authorities (LRGA) in the structure of the Union[discussion]

4. Improving and reforming the Congress motions process

5. Other initiatives [discussion]



1. A Union fit for the future: advancing a Members’ vision for the future governance of IUCN

How to ensure that IUCN’s governance structure enables all parts of IUCN - Members, National and Regional Committees, the Commissions and the Secretariat – to optimize their contributions to achieving the mission of IUCN?

In preparation for:• a Council workshop at the 2012 Congress• a possible motion advancing a Members’ vision for the

future governance of IUCN, for Council to– implement in 2012-2016, and/or– prepare statutory reforms by 2016



1. A Union fit for the future: advancing a Members’ vision for the future governance of IUCN (Cont’d)

Question 1: IUCN Membership

a. What nature, composition and size of IUCN Membership is needed to lead conservation and influence societies to achieve the equitable conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity?

b. What role can National and Regional Committees play in IUCN and in their societies to enable conservation and wider economic and social policies to meet biodiversity objectives?




Question 2: IUCN Councila. How can the composition, capacities, calibre and

representation of Council be strengthened and continue to evolve to exercise strong, nimble, and effective leadership in decision-making and policy direction?

b. What needs to be done to attract future Council members with competencies and profile that can add leverage to IUCN’s efforts and influence political and economic actors and citizens who currently ignore or undermine conservation objectives?

c. How can the Bureau of Council be used more effectively?




Question 3: IUCN Commissionsa. Are the current Commissions, their mandates and

the selection process for Commission leadership sufficient to address the conservation challenges of the future?

b. How can network models and thematic bases of the Commissions provide the optimum arrangement through which the IUCN family, the broader conservation community, and society at large can access the voluntary expertise it needs for the future?




Question 4: IUCN Secretariat

How can the Secretariat evolve into the right roles, functions, size and skill set to enable, leverage and integrate the capacities of IUCN’s constituents and ensure effective and efficient delivery of the IUCN Programme and optimal conservation results?



2. Changing IUCN’s statutory regions

Council motion for the 2012 Congress implementing Resolution 4.007 (2008 Congress):• Council continues with 38 members in total• Africa and Meso and South America: each elect 4• North America and the Caribbean, Oceania and West

Asia: each elect 3 Councillors• South and East Asia: elects 5 Councillors• West and East Europe, North and Central Asia

combined: elects 6 Councillors• Pakistan moves to South and East Asia• Only 1 appointed Councillor instead of 5



3. Including local and regional governmental authorities (LRGA) in the structure of the Union

Why is the IUCN Council pursuing this:

• Council implements resolution 4.008 (Barcelona Congress, 2008) which requested it to find an appropriate way of including LRGA in the structure of the Union

• LRGA have become increasingly important actors in conservation



3. Including local and regional governmental authorities (LRGA) in the structure of the Union (Cont’d)

Current situation:

• Only government agencies or departments ‘which form part of the machinery of government in a State, including those agencies of the components of federal States or of States having an analogous structure’ may be admitted to IUCN in Category A




Proposals under examination:

1. include as ‘LRGA members’ of Category A (States and government agencies) in which they collectively exercise one of the three [or four?] State votes in accordance with that State’s constitutional structure and requirements, and with specific admission criteria for Council to review in each case, such as:




• A definition as precise as possible of what is meant by LRGA

• Agreement of the State Member before any LRGA can be admitted

• LRGA must have comprehensive decision-making authority in the field of conservation




Proposals under examination (continued):

2. create a new affiliate membership Category ‘Local and regional governmental authorities’ with extended affiliate member rights such as: o propose candidates for President, Treasurer, Chairs

of the Commissions and Regional Councillorso speak in, and propose motions to, Congress; and/oro State Member consults with LRGA with a view to

presenting LRGA views and proposals to Congress




Proposals under examination (continued):

3. an existing international organization with members which are LRGA, serves as the local government interface for IUCN, e.g. the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), or other international organization of LRGA membersThe LRGA members of this international organization participate in the IUCN through such an international organization. It could further be considered how such an organization could bring its LRGA membership into a formal relationship with IUCN in the form of a local government chamber.



4. Improving and reforming the Congress motions process

• Evaluation of the 2008 Congress

• Council initiatives to improve the motions process for 2012: More Member briefings on how to exercise their

rights An electronic tool for Member motions Members contribute to the Draft IUCN Programme

2013-2016 during the Regional Conservation Forums Promote regional Programmes for Members’

proposals for local/regional actions



4. Improving and reforming the Congress motions process (Cont’d)

• Other reforms under examination in Council, possibly for adoption by Members at the 2012 Congress: e.g.o increase the representativeness and legitimacy of

Congress resolutions by introducing a (quorum) requirement that a minimum number of Members must be present in order to take valid decisions



5. Other initiatives

5.1 Effectiveness of CouncilClarifying Council’s primary functions

(proposed amendments to IUCN Statutes, art. 37 and IUCN Regulations, art. 48)

5.2 Increase transparency of Council• Members’ Portal fully operational• all Council and Bureau decisions posted in the three

official languages of IUCN• Council agendas circulated in advance to Members

for comments• Council documents available upon request



5. Other initiatives: (Cont’d)

5.3 Improving the criteria for membership admission• Redefine the Affiliate Member Category C by

reserving it for entities that are not eligible for membership in Cat. A or B but that share and support IUCN’s objectives and have a track record in conservationProposed amendment to IUCN Statutes, art. 5 (f):Affiliate Members shall be government agencies, national and international non-governmental organizations, which are not in Categories A or B. entities which are not eligible for membership in Categories A or B but comply with the requirements of Article 7 (a), (b) and (c).



5. Other initiatives: (Cont’d)

5.3 Improving the criteria for membership admission (Cont’d)• Clarify the conditions for admission to be reviewed

in each case by CouncilProposed amendment to IUCN Statutes, art. 7:



Proposed amendment to IUCN Statutes, art. 7:(a) the applicant shares and supports the objectives of IUCN;(b) the objectives and track record of the applicant reflect at least one

of the following:– the conservation of the integrity and diversity of nature; – the aim to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable

and ecologically sustainable; – the dedication to influencing, encouraging and assisting societies

for the above purposes;(c) the applicant does not pursue objectives or carry out activities that

conflict with the objectives or activities of IUCN;(c) the applicant has as one of its central purposes the achievement of

IUCN’s mission and a substantial record of activity in the conservation of nature and natural resources; and

(d) the applicant meets the other qualifications for membership as prescribed in the Regulations.



5. Other initiatives: (Cont’d)5.3 Improving the criteria for membership admission

(Cont’d)• Modifications to the IUCN Regulations 5 and 6 concerning

the membership admission criteria: e.g.

• 5 (a) (i) be an a not-for-profit entity which conforms with the law of the State where the seat is located; [...]

• 5 (a) (iii) have a board that is autonomous and independent Have an autonomous and independent board, recognizing that government financial support to the organization shall not on its own indicate a lack of independence; and

• 5 (a) (iv) have a governance structure which is transparent, accountable and representative have a legal structure which requires periodic election or appointment of its officers.

• 5 (b) Any duly accredited university, similar institution of higher learning, and its specialized centre(s) and or research institute(s), organized within a State, seeking admission to this Category shall [...]



5. Other initiatives: (Cont’d)5.4 Oceans in IUCN’s governance

Under consideration in Council: proposals to enhance the representation of oceans in IUCN’s governance, e.g. by requiring Council to appoint a IUCN World Oceans Councillor [Regulations, art. 45]

5.5 Guidance for election candidates 2012

5.6 Proposed amendments to facilitate the organization of the World Conservation CongressExamples:• No limitation of the size of delegations• Electronic voting and elections

Jeju

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Council looks forward to receivingyour comments and suggestions

Jeju

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www.iucn.org/congress

Thank you!Kamsa hamnida!감사합니다

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