WCC-2025-Res-101 - Progress Report submission form

General Information

Resolution
52751
Period covered
Resolution implementation status
61-85% - Strong
Comments
There is a strong and coordinated start at implementation demonstrated in the report from multiple members with key partners. Action to follow up on the resolution is also being taken across all the different elements of the Union, with linked strategic and coordinated action by WCPA and IRF ensuring all aspects of the motion are being considered. The ranger campaign and the International Ranger Awards providing a strong pathway to the World PCA Congress. Thus momentum appears to be building for strong and continuing engagement. There are areas to be strengthened, including the number of States reporting on implementation, thus this strong start can be built on further.
Activities to implement this Resolution from Activity Reports
Relevant operative para(s) of Res/Rec Activities Overview Description Status Action
1 Policy influencing/advocacy In partnership with WCPA and International Ranger Federation, IUCN has launched the Ranger Effect Campaign (https://iucn.org/ranger-effect) to
- Showcase real ranger work.
- Help nations reach 30 by 30 target.
- Boost policy support; encourage inclusion of rangers in NBSAPs.
This campaign will be highlighted at CBD COP 17.
The IRF is partnering with the HAC and is urging the UN General Assembly to rangers in their 30x30 declaration.
On-going Full activity report
2 Convene stakeholders/Networking IUCN and WCPA have established a new formal governance system for the awards, including the IUCN DG and WCPA Chair as members of the Joint Management Board and inclusion of the IRF on the Steering Committee. WCPA is providing the coordinator for the awards management team. Plans are in progress for the next awards to be presented at the 2027 World Protected and Conserved Area Congress. On-going Full activity report
3 Policy influencing/advocacy URSA and the IRF have contracted a labour consultant to create a global ranger rights charter, to be endorsed by rangers at the 2017 World Ranger Congress and presented at the World Protected and Conserved Areas Congress later in 2017.
Additionally the labour consultant is working with countries to establish how national associations can use existing laws to advocate for change within the ILO for ranger recognition.
On-going Full activity report
4 Policy influencing/advocacy Representatives of WCPA and the IRF have met with all the IUCN regional Directors to explore how to implement this element of Resolution 101 at a regional level.
The IRF is planning to build a ranger competence assessment tool, similar to https://conservation-cat.com/ , based on the Global Ranger Competences and on the architecture of the of IUCN WCPA Global Register of Competences for Protected Area Practitioners.
URSA, IRF and WCPA members have coauthored a paper titled Non-State Rangers: Identifying And Supporting The Diverse Set Of People That Fulfil Ranger Functions, published in the WCPA Journal PARKS. https://parksjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/5_TIMMINS-ET-AL.pdf
On-going Full activity report
5 Policy influencing/advocacy URSA, IRF and WCPA members have coauthored a paper entitled ‘The Ranger Blindspot: Global Policy and Implementation Gaps’, highlighting the lack of references to workforce and rangers in major global policies, conventions and agreements. This is due to be published later in 2026. WCPA, IUCN, IRF and URSA will present this at COP17, with a longer-term aim of getting workforce reporting integrated into NBSAPs by 2030. On-going Full activity report
6 Policy influencing/advocacy URSA and the IRF have contracted a labour consultant to create a global ranger rights charter, to be endorsed by rangers at the 2017 World Ranger Congress and presented at the World Protected and Conserved Areas Congress later in 2017. Once this is complete the intention is that ranger employers sign up to this. Planned Full activity report
7 Capacity building The IRF Ranger Code of Conduct is being promoted and adopted worldwide. It is being used to support development of a regional CoC for SADC countries, being supported by the IUCN ESARO office through the Wildlife Managers and Ranger Training project. Planned Full activity report
Actors involved from Activity Reports
IUCN Members IUCN Commissions IUCN Secretariat Other non-IUCN related organisations
  • Re:wild ( United States of America )
  • Conservation International ( United States of America )
  • Wildlife Conservation Society ( United States of America )
  • World Wildlife Fund - US ( United States of America )
  • Zoological Society of London ( United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland )
  • Fauna & Flora International ( United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland )
  • IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas 2026-2029
  • Yes
Challenges / lessons learned from Activity Reports
Challenges / lessons learned Description Action
Lack of awareness / engagement

Ongoing challenges exist in persuading major policy bodies, conventions etc of the importance of including their primary workforce for Protected and Conserved Areas in plans, policies and budgets.

Full activity report
Coordination issues

It takes time for global decisions, policies and recommendations to be adopted and implemented by countries and agencies.

Full activity report
Insufficient / lack of resources

Resources are scarce for global advocacy on workforce issues and rangers. They would be more readily available if workforce was mainstreamed into policies, plans and projects.

Full activity report
Report status
Published