WCC-2025-Res-048 - Progress Report submission form

Activities to implement this Resolution from Activity Reports
Relevant operative para(s) of Res/Rec Activities Overview Description Status Action
7 Convene stakeholders/Networking During its G7 Presidency, France included environmental crime in one of its tracks ("filière intérieur") and has reactivated a technical expert group on topics such as investigation on environmental crime. Completed Full activity report
10 Policy influencing/advocacy France made CaE a priority in efforts to combat international organized crime. France chairs a group of friends on CaE in Vienna (HQ of UNODC), and has supported UNEA-7 resolution by Kenya and Peru (withdrawn). France advocates for strengthening the international legal framework on CaE, and is strongly involved in the UNTOC intergov expert group, and will be at next UNTOC COP. FR will also push for language on CaE in the Crime Congress declaration. On-going Full activity report
9 Policy influencing/advocacy IUCN WCEL attended the second meeting of the Open-ended intergovernmental expert group on crimes that affect the environment (CAE) falling within the scope of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) in Vienna in February 2026. The IUCN delegation provided expert input to the State representatives, to assist in their technical considerations of an additional protocol to the UNTOC covering CAE. Completed Full activity report
6 Policy influencing/advocacy The WCEL Specialist Group (SG) on CAE prepared a Position Paper setting out its mandate for the 2026-2029 quadrennium, including how its activities aim to contribute to the implementation of Resolution 8.048. The SG supports the launching of negotiations at the 13th UNTOC COP for a protocol to the UNTOC on CAE. It aims to advance the environmental rule of law and offering technical support to States to strengthen their responses to CAE. Completed Full activity report
7 Policy influencing/advocacy IUCN Member the International Council of Environmental Law, supported by WCEL, hosted the side-event "Promoting synergies: Leveraging multilateral efforts to tackle crimes that affect the environment”, during the UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice. It was supported by Brazil and Peru, and seven organizations. It highlighted the need to increase multistakeholder collaboration to advance the work for an UNTOC protocol on CAE. Completed Full activity report
Actors involved from Activity Reports
IUCN Members IUCN Commissions IUCN Secretariat Other non-IUCN related organisations
  • International Council of Environmental Law ( Spain )
  • IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law 2026-2029
  • Yes
Challenges / lessons learned from Activity Reports
Challenges / lessons learned Description Action
Other (please specify)

- Political pushback: some countries pushback on a reinforcement of the international legal framework on CaE. (In UNEA-7, some countries refused the resolution on environmental crime, which had to be withdrawn ; the recommandations of the UNTOC intergovernmental expert group were not consensual).
- Problem of definition of what is encompassed in environmental crime, and thus what could be considered in a potential 4th Protocol to the UNTOC.

Full activity report
Lack of awareness / engagement

At the second meeting of the Open-ended intergovernmental expert group on crimes that affect the environment (CAE) falling within the scope of the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC), there were differences in interpretation among delegates present on the implications of an UNTOC protocol, including state sovereignty, and on issues of international environmental law.

Full activity report

WCC-2025-Res-064 - Progress Report submission form

Activities to implement this Resolution from Activity Reports
Relevant operative para(s) of Res/Rec Activities Overview Description Status Action
Education/Communication/Raising awareness UNCG is implementing a project on communicating the position on the environmental consequences of russia’s invasion within the global conservation community. One of the project activities is to contribute to the implementation of IUCN Resolution WCC-2025-Res-064 through engagement with WCEL, advocacy and awareness-raising, and dissemination of relevant information and materials. On-going Full activity report
Actors involved from Activity Reports
IUCN Members IUCN Commissions IUCN Secretariat Other non-IUCN related organisations
  • Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group ( Ukraine )
  • No
Challenges / lessons learned from Activity Reports
Challenges / lessons learned Description Action
Coordination issues

Low priority for the implementation of this Resolution

Full activity report

WCC-2025-Res-063 - Progress Report submission form

Activities to implement this Resolution from Activity Reports
Relevant operative para(s) of Res/Rec Activities Overview Description Status Action
1e Policy influencing/advocacy The Himek alliance sponsor ERF had multiple discussions with alliance partners (and co-sponsors) as well as other funding and governmental organizations to advocate and seek support for the Alliance
1. The Alliance had a meeting with the co-sponsors to discuss the potential for funding implementation and it was decided to take support from IUCN India, the asssigned mentor for the resolution
Planned Full activity report
1e Policy influencing/advocacy 2. The Sponsor organization, environmental resources foundation, had a meeting with IUCN India head at the IUCN India office to discuss next steps and action plan for implementation
3. Co-sponsor organizations and other supporters have had initial meetings with Niti Ayog, India and UNEP to discuss the impact of black carbon with the expectation of a follow up meeting later in October-November

Planned Full activity report
Actors involved from Activity Reports
IUCN Members IUCN Commissions IUCN Secretariat Other non-IUCN related organisations
  • Center for Nature Conservation and Development (Viet Nam) ( Viet Nam )
  • SACAN Foundation ( Pakistan )
  • FORESTS AND LIVELIHOOD ORGANIZATION ( Cambodia )
  • Batabaraniya Susan Karya Samuha Nepal ( Nepal )
  • Center for Natural Resource Studies ( Bangladesh )
  • Environmental Resources Foundation ( India )
  • Water, Environment and Sanitation Society ( Pakistan )
  • No IUCN Commissions involved
  • I don't know
Challenges / lessons learned from Activity Reports
Challenges / lessons learned Description Action
Lack of awareness / engagement Full activity report

WCC-2025-Res-025 - Progress Report submission form

Activities to implement this Resolution from Activity Reports
Relevant operative para(s) of Res/Rec Activities Overview Description Status Action
1a Scientific/technical activities The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is advancing a ten-year management plan for the Dugong Conservation Reserve. A dedicated draft is under review to guide dugong and seagrass protection, fisheries interactions, monitoring and community participation. On-going Full activity report
1a Scientific/technical activities The 2026 report Population Status of Dugongs in Tamil Nadu, prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India with support from the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, provides a scientific baseline for dugong monitoring, habitat protection and conservation planning. The assessment used non-invasive methods, including drones and underwater cameras. Completed Full activity report
1a Scientific/technical activities Field observations documented ongoing ecological and fisheries interactions in seagrass feeding grounds, including the occurrence of trawling, dragnets, anchoring and trap nets. Restoration-site observations also recorded turbidity, siltation, macroalgal growth and evidence of fishing-gear interaction. These observations were shared with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department to support adaptive site management, habitat protection and continued monitoring Completed Full activity report
1a Field activities Joint monitoring of seagrass restoration sites has continued with the Tamil Nadu Forest Department and local conservation partners. Seagrass and sediment samples were collected at restored sites in June 2026 for blue carbon assessment, contributing evidence for habitat management and continued monitoring. On-going Full activity report
1a, 1b Field activities Seagrass wrack was surveyed in May 2026. The May work combined UAV mapping, fixed shoreline sectors and quadrat sampling to record wrack wet biomass. Seagrass line-transect training and underwater observations further developed practical skills for habitat assessment and continued monitoring. Completed Full activity report
1a Field activities Fishers, the Forest Department and conservation partners responded to dugong strandings in Dugong Conservation Reserve in September 2026. Carcass examinations and documentation supported stranding records. The September response also involved veterinary personnel and included a necropsy and morphometric measurements, strengthening evidence for dugong monitoring. Completed Full activity report
1a Field activities Fishing-community participation has enabled dugong rescue and release. On 14 June 2026, fishers freed an entangled calf and safely returned it to the sea. The District Collector and District Forest Officer have also recognised fisher rescuers through appreciation and rewards, reinforcing their contribution to dugong protection. This demonstrates that meaningful dugong conservation is being implemented through practical, on-the-ground action. Completed Full activity report
1a Education/Communication/Raising awareness Conservation infrastructure development: The Tamil Nadu Forest Department is building the International Dugong Conservation Centre at Manora through the World Bank-supported Tamil Nadu Sustainably Harnessing Ocean Resources and Blue Economy (TN-SHORE) project. Groundbreaking took place in February 2026 and a work order has been issued. The centre will support research, monitoring, training and public education. On-going Full activity report
1b Capacity building Eleven Marine Conservation Leadership fellows completed one month of training. Separate programmes trained 60 Tamil Nadu Forest Academy forester trainees and 18 Wildlife Institute of India students. Activities included seagrass assessment, conservation technology, fisheries interactions and dugong rescue procedures. A GIS workshop supported practical coastal conservation skills. Completed Full activity report
1a, 1b Convene stakeholders/Networking The Forest Department convened an interdepartmental dugong conservation programme at Manamelkudi on 10 September 2026, involving government personnel, Alagappa University and local conservation practitioners. Exchanges addressed reserve management, dugong rescue, seagrass restoration and coordination across departments. Completed Full activity report
1b Scientific/technical activities Best Catch Assessment surveys were conducted in five Palk Bay fishing villages in May 2026. Fishers contributed knowledge of fishing effort, catch histories and changing conditions. The survey records support fisheries and livelihood discussions and provide a basis for collaborative analysis. Completed Full activity report
1b Education/Communication/Raising awareness Seventeen coastal village meetings addressed lost and abandoned fishing gear, prevention of gear loss and responsible disposal. The meetings engaged fishing communities in reducing pressures on seagrass habitats and supporting dugong conservation. Completed Full activity report
1b Capacity building Palmyra craft training was delivered to 59 women from six coastal villages in February 2026. The programme developed practical craft skills and explored supplementary livelihood opportunities as part of community engagement in coastal conservation. Completed Full activity report
1b Scientific/technical activities Needs assessments engaged fishers in eight villages in May 2026 and women's self-help groups in seven villages in June. Further assessments in Keezhathottam, Pillaiyarthidal and Kollukadu in July, involving AIM Foundation and local conservation partners, identified livelihood needs and opportunities to guide supplementary livelihood support and community participation. Completed Full activity report
1c Capacity building Online technical session was organised for Marine Conservation Leadership Fellows in June 2026 on seagrass restoration methods and fisheries assessment. IUCN learning sessions addressed conservation solutions, inclusive governance and international standards, supporting exchange of practical approaches relevant to Palk Bay. Completed Full activity report
2 Convene stakeholders/Networking A February 2026 sustainable-finance consultation workshop held at Chennai convened by Zoological Society of London brought together the Tamil Nadu Forest Department, Wildlife Institute of India, CMS Dugong MOU, IUCN, TN-SHORE and local conservation partners. It identified priority research and management interventions and explored long-term financing and community livelihoods. Completed Full activity report
2 Policy influencing/advocacy India chapter of the UNEP-CMS seagrass policy toolkit were submitted on 12 September 2026 and acknowledged on 14 September. The contribution documented reserve governance and management-plan progress, supporting policy learning relevant to adaptation of the reserve model in other dugong range states. Completed Full activity report
3 Convene stakeholders/Networking A UNEP-CMS Dugong MOU delegation, with Project Seagrass, visited India in late September-early October 2026. The Palk Bay programme connected international specialists with Tamil Nadu Forest Department and community conservation. The agenda covered seagrass ecosystem services, cooperation, blue carbon capacity building and workshop. Completed Full activity report
3 Convene stakeholders/Networking The UNEP-CMS India mission proposed a possible India-Sri Lanka dialogue on dugong and seagrass conservation with IUCN. The initiative remains under consideration, subject to partner agreement. Such a dialogue would support coordinated conservation across the shared marine region and cooperation on dugong populations and their habitats. Planned Full activity report
3 Education/Communication/Raising awareness School and National Service Scheme education programmes recorded 712 attendances during July-September 2026. Sessions addressed dugong ecology, seagrass habitats and practical conservation, helping young people understand the ecological importance of Palk Bay. Completed Full activity report
3 Education/Communication/Raising awareness Documentary fieldwork took place Roundglass Sustain Project in Palk Bay during July-August 2026, documenting local conservation experience and community participation. The completed fieldwork contributed material for communication about dugongs and seagrass habitats. Completed Full activity report
3 Education/Communication/Raising awareness The Dugongs of Palk Bay film was produced through collaboration involving Project Seagrass, UNEP-CMS and local conservation partners through interviews with fishermen. On-going Full activity report
3 Education/Communication/Raising awareness From September 2025 to September 2026, OMCAR Foundation directly reached approximately 1,000+ students, fishers, trainees and other participants through school outreach programmes (including staff visits to schools, calculated at about 60 students per school), community awareness programmes, workshops, field visits and conservation training activities. Completed Full activity report
Actors involved from Activity Reports
IUCN Members IUCN Commissions IUCN Secretariat Other non-IUCN related organisations
  • OMCAR Foundation ( India )
  • No IUCN Commissions involved
  • Yes
Challenges / lessons learned from Activity Reports
Challenges / lessons learned Description Action
Other (please specify)

Continued field observations indicate the importance of monitoring fisheries interactions, including trawling, dragnets, anchoring and trap nets, in and around seagrass feeding grounds. Restoration sites also experience natural and anthropogenic influences such as turbidity, siltation and macroalgal growth. Continued scientific assessment, adaptive site selection and collaborative monitoring will help strengthen ongoing restoration and habitat-management efforts.

Full activity report
Other (please specify)

Fishing households depend substantially on daily fishing and post-harvest activities, which can limit the time available for voluntary monitoring. Continued dialogue with fishing communities regarding conservation measures, sustainable fisheries and livelihood considerations can strengthen long-term community participation

Full activity report
Other (please specify)

Long-term dugong protection will benefit from sustained technical, institutional and financial support. The ongoing development of the ten-year management plan, together with integration of monitoring results into field-management priorities, provides an important opportunity to further strengthen public investment, community participation and appropriate international partnerships

Full activity report
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