The Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) on Tuesday announced that it has officially become a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), joining other countries in the world committed to biodiversity.
Founded in 1948, the IUCN is the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, providing knowledge, policy guidance, and partnerships to help societies protect nature.
The announcement was made during the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, where governments, scientists, and environmental leaders from around the world gathered to shape global nature conservation priorities.
“We are delighted to welcome the KRG into the IUCN family,” said Hany el-Shaer, IUCN’s West Asia Regional Director. “This membership marks an important milestone in strengthening nature conservation efforts in Iraq and the wider region.
“The Kurdistan Region’s rich natural heritage and its growing environmental leadership offer great potential for impactful partnerships. Together, we will work to safeguard biodiversity, build resilience to climate change, and support sustainable development for communities and ecosystems alike,” he concluded.
“Joining the IUCN is a milestone for the KRG. It reflects our government’s growing commitment to environmental stewardship, biodiversity protection, and the sustainable use of our natural resources,” said Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, Senior Advisor to KRG Prime Minister Masrour Barzani for Foreign Affairs and Climate Change, who represented the KRG at the IUCN World Congress in Abu Dhabi this week.
“We are determined to protect our mountains, rivers, and forests for future generations, and to contribute to the global effort against climate change.”
Membership in the IUCN links the Kurdistan Region to over 1,400 organizations worldwide, enabling it to align environmental policies with global standards, collaborate with experts on conservation and resource management, access capacity-building support for climate resilience, and promote ecotourism and green investment within its development strategy.
The Kurdistan Region hosts some of Iraq’s richest ecosystems, with diverse wildlife such as the endangered Persian leopard and Kurdistan newt, over 2,000 unique plant species, and more than 350 bird species along a key migratory route.
The KRG aims to designate protected areas like Barzan Nature Reserve, Halgurd-Sakran National Park, and Qara Dagh Reserve to preserve vital forests, wetlands, and mountain habitats. These areas are central to the region’s ecology, livelihoods, and cultural identity, and IUCN membership will help the KRG enhance their protection in line with international standards.
“This membership signals to the world that the KRG is ready to be a responsible partner in protecting our shared planet,” said Abdul Rahman. “We look forward to learning from others, sharing our experiences, and contributing to a greener and more resilient future.”
