Past IUCN Presidents include leaders from a variety of academic disciplines and professional experience in fields such as botany, zoology, genetics, law, psychology, politics, physics and mathematics. Their vast expertise and diverse perspectives have enriched the Union and helped IUCN fulfil its mission.
Continuous engagements
Yolanda Kakabadse surveys the landscape on a visit to the Rio Doce watershed.
Photo: Rio Doce Panel
Read more:
- 2018 Crossroads blog post by Yolanda Kakabadse, past IUCN President 1996-2004
- Yolanda Kakabadse, chair 2017-present of the IUCN Rio Doce Panel, an independent Scientific Technical Advisory panel.
Mohamed Kassas, IUCN President in 1978-1984, and Harold J. Coolidge, IUCN President 1966-1972 and colleagues, at IUCN's Madrid General Assembly in 1984.
Photo: IUCN Photo Library / © Bernardo Zentilli
Mohamed Kassas's presidency (1978-1984) oversaw the publication of the World Conservation Strategy in 1980, developed by IUCN, UNEP and WWF, in collaboration with FAO and UNESCO.
| Name | Dates | Nationality |
| Zhang Xinsheng | 2012-present | China |
| Ashok Khosla | 2008-2012 | India |
| Valli Moosa | 2004-2008 | South Africa |
| Yolanda Kakabadse | 1996-2004 | Ecuador |
| Jay D. Hair | 1994-1996 | USA |
| Sir Shridath Ramphal | 1991-1994 | Guyana |
| Monkombu S. Swaminathan | 1984-1990 | India |
| Mohamed Kassas | 1978-1984 | Egypt |
| Donald J. Kuenen | 1972-1978 | Netherlands |
| Harold J. Coolidge | 1966-1972 | USA |
| François Bourlière | 1963-1966 | France |
| Jean G. Baer | 1958-1963 | Switzerland |
| Roger Heim | 1954-1958 | France |
| Charles J. Bernard | 1948-1954 | Netherlands |
