The Rights of Nature movement is gaining traction across the globe: more than 687 initiatives in over 66 countries already recognize the inherent rights of rivers, forests, mountains, and ecosystems to exist and thrive.
In adopting Resolution 054 at its quadrennial World Conservation Congress in 2025, the IUCN brought this vision to Antarctica, in conjunction with the new IUCN “Strategy, Policy, and Programme on Antarctica and the Southern Ocean.” The Resolution illustrates that Antarctica should not be seen as a resource or backdrop, but as a living system with the right to continue evolving.
What Resolution 054 calls for
As proposed and adopted at the IUCN World Conservation Congress, this Resolution will:
🔹 Evaluate the concept of the fundamental rights of Antarctica — the Director General, Antarctic and Southern Ocean Task Force, IUCN Commissions, and Members are asked to thoroughly assess what these rights mean and what corresponding human duties they entail.
🔹 Report back — the Director General, in collaboration with WCEL and the Task Force, is asked to submit a progress report to IUCN Members on implementation by IUCN, its Members, and partner stakeholders.
🔹 Advance cooperation under the Antarctic Treaty System — IUCN Members are encouraged to cooperate to protect the intrinsic value of Antarctica and its dependent and associated ecosystems.
Alignment with global commitments
Alignment with global commitments
Resolution 054 supports the IUCN’s new Antarctica Strategy, which calls on the IUCN and members to “advocate for the interests of other species and ecosystems and their inherent right to exist.” It further builds on five IUCN resolutions on Antarctica, fisheries, protected areas, and Rights of Nature:
Res. 7.032 (Ocean impacts of climate change, 2020)
Res. 7.107 (Fisheries & marine biodiversity, 2020)
Res. 6.032 (Protected areas in Antarctica, 2016)
Res. 5.066 (Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, 2012)
Res. 5.100 (Rights of Nature, 2012)
In addition to IUCN priorities, Resolution 054 also strengthens delivery of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, while reinforcing the Antarctic Environmental Protocol’s recognition of Antarctica’s intrinsic value.
The voice of Antarctica
IUCN Resolution 054 seeks to ensure that Antarctica’s voice is heard and acted on — in governance, conservation, and decision-making spaces crucial to its survival and the stability of our planet.
How you can support
IUCN Members: Work with your networks to implement Resolution 054 — evaluate, report, and advance Antarctic rights within the Treaty System.
All: Read the full Resolution 054 and join the Alliance for the Rights of Antarctica.