The Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute (KoAGI) announced that it had been officially admitted as a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in August 2025. This membership formally recognizes KoAGI as part of the world's largest and most diverse environmental network.

IUCN is the global authority on the state of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it, comprising more than 1,400 member organizations worldwide. As an official IUCN member, KoAGI plans to actively participate in global conservation projects and contribute its expertise to the Union's mission.

This new partnership builds on KoAGI's existing international collaborations with key organizations such as Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO). Joining IUCN is expected to significantly expand KoAGI's global network and strengthen its role as a leading institution in plant conservation.

Sang-Taek Sim, President of KoAGI, said: "Joining IUCN is a significant milestone that validates our dedication to preserving plant biodiversity. It provides a powerful platform to amplify our conservation efforts and foster greater international collaboration."

Furthermore, this membership is expected to create new momentum for enhancing the global visibility of the Baekdudaegan Global Seed Vault (BGSV). KoAGI aims to promote BGSV's vital role in providing secure backup storage for the world’s wild plant seeds, thereby contributing to a global safety net for biodiversity.

* About IUCN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organizations. It provides public, private, and non-governmental organizations with knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development, and nature conservation to advance together.