Rangers at the heart of the 30×30 target

The 10th World Ranger Congress (WRC) will take place in Hyères, France, from October 7-11, 2024, gathering over 450 rangers from around the world. Organized by the International Ranger Federation (IRF) and Gardes Nature de France (GNF), the Congress will focus on the vital role rangers play in achieving The Biodiversity Plan, especially the 30×30 target, which aims to protect 30% of the planet’s lands and oceans by 2030. Rangers are instrumental in safeguarding biodiversity, managing protected areas, and enforcing conservation policies.

The event will feature six plenary sessions and 22 workshops, covering topics like the fight against illegal wildlife trade and the role of indigenous women rangers. The Congress will also explore the potential for green job creation, with projections suggesting over 1.5 million new ranger positions by 2030. High-profile speakers, such as Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO and Chair of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Mike Appleton, Chair of the Universal Ranger Support Alliance, and John Scalon, Chair of the UK Government’s Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund, will address the attendees, emphasizing rangers’ key contributions to global conservation efforts.

A key outcome of the Congress will be the “Hyères Declaration,” a call to action aimed at strengthening rangers’ roles in biodiversity protection, which will be presented at the upcoming UN Biodiversity COP16.

NatureXpairs is delighted to support this event, and will contribute to bringing the voice of rangers to COP 16, alongside the many partners of this event, such as the Post 2020 program, funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France, the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), the French Ministry for an Ecological Transition and the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs.

Learn more :

World Rangers Congress (WRC) Website

Post-2020 Biodiversity Framework – EU Support project’s dedicated article