WWF Logo WWF Conservation Priorities
















The purpose of this document - a revision of WWF's Global Priorities to the Year 2000 published in January 1994 - is to further define WWF's global conservation priorities and WWF's approach to addressing them, with the ultimate goal of achieving the conservation of biodiversity. It explains how ecoregion-based conservation and the "Global 200" provide the geographic setting for WWF's continued work in the three priority biomes of forests, freshwater ecosystems, and oceans/coasts. Also included are the latest targets for each of the campaigns - Forests for Life, Endangered Seas, Climate Change, and the presently developing Freshwater campaign - as well as the goal and targets for WWF's growing toxics programme. The document concludes with an overview of the Living Planet Campaign.

Since it was founded in 1961, WWF has become the world's largest and one of the most respected independent conservation organizations. It has played a major role in the evolution of the international conservation movement, a role that continues to evolve and grow. Never has WWF's purpose been as relevant as it is today, as we approach the beginning of a new millennium.

Whilst we will need to anticipate WWF's role in delivering conservation in the 21st century, and adapt our approaches accordingly, the primary goal will remain unchanged - the pursuit of conservation to save the Earth's biodiversity. Hence, the purpose of the conservation priorities presented here is to focus WWF's Global Conservation Programme, including the global campaigns and the domestic programmes of the National Organizations, on the conservation of biodiversity.

It is vital that WWF's limited resources are used as effectively as possible. Only by building on WWF's areas of expertise and institutional strengths and concentrating our efforts on a few clearly defined priority conservation issues - for which the organization is well positioned - will WWF make a real difference.

Many people have contributed to the essence presented in this paper. I would like to thank specifically Jim Leape, Senior Vice President of WWF-US, Jorgen Randers, Deputy Director General, Chris Hails, Programme Director of WWF International, the members of the Forest, Freshwater, and Marine Units and the three Target Driven Activities (TDAs), as well as the members of the Programme Committee.

Dr Claude Martin
Director General
WWF International