Since its establishment in 1930, the CIC has been dedicated to advancing conservation efforts led by hunters, striving to protect threatened landscapes and wildlife from development, overuse, pollution, and illegal activities. Today, the CIC champions indigenous peoples’ and local communities’ rights and needs, recognizing their crucial role in sustainable wildlife management. The organization remains steadfast in contributing to the ambitious objectives of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

The CIC represents a diverse and influential global network with 29 state members, over 2,000 individual members, and more than 90 partner NGOs. Officially recognized as a United Nations Observer and holding diplomatic status in Austria, the CIC continues to advocate for sustainable use at the highest levels of international policy.

As a globally recognized authority on conservation and sustainable use, the CIC has been pivotal in addressing environmental challenges for nearly a century. The organization’s contributions have supported landmark biodiversity initiatives, including the founding of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (1948), the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (1971), and the Strategy for Sustainable Development at the Earth Summit in Rio (1992). Most recently, the CIC has contributed to shaping the Global Biodiversity Framework (2022), further solidifying its legacy in global conservation.