IUCN Membership
Blue Cradle is proud to be part of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network. Our work aligns closely with IUCN’s mission to influence, encourage, and assist societies to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature.
Our work in ocean regeneration and ocean literacy aligns strongly with IUCN’s mission to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature through science, action, and collaboration.
IUCN is a global union of government and civil society organisations, comprising over 1,400 members and more than 15,000 experts. It plays a critical role in shaping environmental policy, building capacity, and supporting solutions that balance human well-being with ecological health.
Blue Cradle became an official IUCN Member in November 2023, marking a significant step in our commitment to globally connected, locally grounded conservation. We are also active members of the IUCN New Zealand National Committee, contributing to national dialogue on marine protection, biodiversity, and Indigenous-led conservation.
Our Executive Director, James Nikitine, has been part of the IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) since 2015, originally joining as a Young Professional. His conservation journey began after meeting former IUCN Director General Julia Marton-Lefèvre at a sustainability forum in Caux, Switzerland in 2013—a moment that inspired his lifelong dedication to marine protection.
Soon after, James began collaborating with Prof. Dan Laffoley, then WCPA Marine Vice-Chair, producing a series of films and campaigns for IUCN on high seas governance, ocean risk, deep-sea conservation, and marine protected areas. These productions were showcased at major international conferences and helped raise awareness around the global ocean agenda.
Regionally, Blue Cradle has contributed to several IUCN initiatives. In May 2024, our Chair Samantha Rowland attended a regional workshop in Sydney supported by BIOPAMA, focused on progressing 30×30 implementation in Oceania. In September 2024, we participated in the Oceania Regional Conservation Forum (ORCF) in Fiji, joining discussions on regional priorities for conservation and resilience.
In early 2025, we also collaborated with IUCN Oceania as a key partner in the design and delivery of the Tiaki Moana Summit & Workshop in French Polynesia. This event brought together over 200 participants from 35 countries and 22 Pacific Island nations, creating space for intergenerational, interdisciplinary dialogue on marine protection and stewardship.
Looking ahead, Blue Cradle is proud to be collaborating once again with IUCN Oceania for a joint side event at the UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) in Nice, France, in June 2025. Together, we aim to amplify Pacific voices, highlight outcomes from Tiaki Moana, and explore pathways for ocean governance and regeneration beyond 2030. We are also preparing to attend the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi in October 2025, where we aim to share our Pacific-led initiatives and strengthen global collaborations around marine regeneration and governance.
Blue Cradle’s engagement with IUCN reflects our belief that strong partnerships, grounded in respect and shared values, are key to building a just, inclusive, and thriving future for the ocean and all who depend on it.
