LIHUE — As a four-person delegation representing the International Union for Conservation of Nature visits Hawaii this week, the state is showcasing its position as the anchor of the Pacific in a bid to host the 2016 IUCN World Conservation
LIHUE — As a four-person delegation representing the International Union for Conservation of Nature visits Hawaii this week, the state is showcasing its position as the anchor of the Pacific in a bid to host the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress.
The congress is the world’s leading summit on the environment.
A Hawaii-hosted congress would be the first time it has been held in the United States since the founding of IUCN in 1948, and the event would provide a unique opportunity to share with the world, the state and nation’s values and dedication to conserving nature on both national and international levels. As many as 8,000 delegates are expected to attend the 2016 meeting.
“I am extremely pleased to welcome the IUCN Site Visit Team to Hawaii,” said Chipper Wichman, director of the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai and CEO and co-chair of the Hawaii IUCN 2016 Steering Committee. “This is a diverse group of individuals and organizations who have been working for the past five years to bring the IUCN World Conservation Congress to Hawaii.”
In addition to Honolulu, Istanbul, Turkey is in the running to host the event.
The IUCN Council will make a decision regarding the venue and hosts of the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress in May 2014.
The delegation is receiving broad exposure to a wide-range of the natural and cultural attributes of the Hawaiian Islands through site visits on Hawaii Island, Oahu, and Kauai, as well as meetings and receptions with government, hospitality industry, conservation and Native Hawaiian leaders.
“Based on our success hosting the 2011 Asia-Pacific Economic Conference, I believe we have a compelling case as to why the United States and Hawaii provide the ideal venue to host this gathering,” Gov. Neil Abercrombie said. “The Aloha State is the anchor of the Pacific, and our bid is financially competitive and highlights the unique benefits of our location and host culture.”
A team led by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, is showing the delegation convention facilities, transportation, lodging and security infrastructure, attractions and meeting/marketing expertise.
Members of the IUCN evaluating team also received a 107 page-long Hawaii Nature + Aloha, Imagine 2016 proposal, which documents broad support for the conference and includes in-depth detail about the Aloha State’s bid for the event.
“With environmental and conservation issues very much at the forefront of worldwide attention, Hawaii is in a unique position to demonstrate what we are doing to advance conservation issues like climate change, watershed management, coral reef protection and traditional knowledge,” DLNR Chairperson William Aila said, “Having Hawaii host the 2016 Congress will show the world how our core values of Aloha Aina connect to nature and our diversity.”
This week the delegation is having meetings with HCC staff and management and many of Hawaii’s leading HTA-member hospitality providers. Both HTA and HCC have been working for the past five years to support the bid process.
