The World Conservation Union was founded in 1948 and brings together 78 states, 112 government agencies, 735 NGOs, 35 affiliates, and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership.

Its mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.

Within the framework of global conventions IUCN has helped over 75 countries to prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies.

IUCN has approximately 1000 staff, most of whom are located in its 42 regional and country offices while 100 work at its Headquarters in Gland, Switzerland.

The 50th anniversary of IUCN in 1998 marked half a century of international action in favour of conservation and celebrated the coming of age of the modern conservation movement.

Dr Monkombu S. Swaminathan (who appears in the photo), was the Chairman of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources at the time of the award.