IUCN Europe serves 397 Members (data from February 2012). Like in other IUCN Regions, the IUCN constituency is very diversified including government agencies, international and national non-governmental organisations, as well as affiliate Members. European Members define IUCN’s mandate and priorities for the region. The Regional office for Europe in Switzerland, along with offices in Belgium, Georgia and Serbia cover 55 countries.

Regional coverage. EU overseas entities are also part of the IUCN European region.

The IUCN Council is the principal governing body of the Union. Within this body, six Councillors represent the interests and needs of the European constituency. For the intersessional period 2009-2012, the Councillors elected in Europe are:

  • East Europe, North and Central Asia are represented by Kalev Sepp (Estonia, also Vice President), Amirkhan Amirkhanov (Russia) and Vilmos Kiszel (Hungary)
  • West Europe is represented by Hans H. de longh (Netherlands), Christophe Lefebvre (France) and Marina von Weissenberg (Finland)


National Committees

In 17 countries in Europe IUCN Members are organized in National Committees. The aim of these Committees is to facilitate cooperation among Members and between Members and the IUCN Secretariat. They play an important role in coordinating efforts of the IUCN constituency at the national level. In each country where they have been established, Committees represent an important interlocutor for nature policies and issues.


Expert groups

The six IUCN Commissions unite 11,000+ experts volunteers from a range of disciplines. They assess the state of the world’s natural resources and provide the Union with sound know-how and policy advice on conservation issues. Experts cooperate with the IUCN Secretariat and Members at different levels: collaborating on project proposals and implementation, attending meetings on behalf of or with the IUCN Secretariat, providing expert advice and knowledge on relevant issues. 

All Commissions are represented in Europe and most benefit from the leadership of Regional Vice-Chairs:

Species Survival Commission (SSC)

World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)
Regional vice-Chair for Europe: Stig Johansson, stig.johansson@metsa.fi

Commission on Environmental Law (CEL)

Commission on Education and Communication (CEC)
Vice-Chair for Europe: Katalin Czippan, czippank@vnet.hu

Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP)
Regional Vice-Chair: Grazia Borrini-Feyerabend

Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM)
Vice-Chair for East Europe: Kalev Sepp, sepp@emu.ee
Vice-Chair for West Europe: Hein Rune Skjoldal, hein.rune.skjoldal@imr.no