XVI International Botanical Congess

Rates of loss of plant diversity have reached unacceptable levels. International initiatives must be translated into action focussed on regions and into activities that maximize the use of resources. This is discussed in the context of the developing plant conservation program of the IUCN Species Survival Commission. This program is built around a series of objectives: use of sound interdisciplinary scientific information, promotion of conservation by users of plant resources, training and research integration across disciplines, strategic alliances, an integrated and synergistic approach towards shared visions, rapid responses to both new priorities and new concepts, and the valuing and adoption of plant policy guidelines and recommendations with relevant implementation. Plant conservation is an issue which permeates and influences the lives of all people and all regions. This is illustrated in relation to new developments to conserve biodiversity in the mega-diversity region of northern Borneo.