The first two, both in the United States, brought attention to the global nature of protected areas and the parks movement: no longer were parks seen as just the preserves of national governments. The 1982 Bali Congress, the first to be held in the developing world, articulated the linkages between protected areas and human development issues. And the Caracas Congress (1992) – along with the Albany Symposium (1997) – resulted in new thinking about protected areas as part of the wider landscape, rather than as merely isolated islands of biodiversity. All Congresses have had a tremendous impact in helping national governments create new protected areas and direct more resources towards biodiversity conservation.

It is easy enough for governments and the private sector to say they are doing something for protected areas. The World Parks Congress forces a stock-taking. Its Report Card for Protected Areas, comprising a new United Nations List of Protected Areas and State of the World’s Protected Areas report, provides an in-depth analysis of the global status of protected areas at the beginning of the 21st century.

Opportunity for commitment
The Congress programme seeks to balance vigorous debate with a technical focus that has a practical meaning for both the ‘parks people’ and the diverse stakeholders beyond the fences – and helps build capacity to improve biodiversity conservation around the world. It provides an opportunity for commitments to be made, partnerships formed, ideas fermented and dialogues begun. One special session focuses on relationships between protected areas and a wide range of other interests including tourism; mining, oil and gas; indigenous and traditional peoples; the fisheries sector; and water supply authorities. Another is dedicated to Africa’s protected areas, reporting on a range of initiatives from the Congress and articulating vital recommendations for action.