​​The IUCN SSC Conservation Genetics Specialist Group (CGSG) was established in 2014 in response to the growing recognition that genetic diversity is a critical but often overlooked component of biodiversity conservation. While species- and ecosystem-focused conservation efforts were advancing, there was a clear need for a dedicated body to provide expertise on on the application of genetic and genomic data in conservation planning, species management  and policy.

The CGSG was created to address this gap by serving as a global forum to exchange knowledge, develop guidance, and coordinate efforts  Since its founding, the CGSG has worked to integrate genetic considerations into practical conservation actions, develop best-practice guidelines, advance genetic indicators and monitoring frameworks, synthesize new scientific advances, support practitioners and policymakers in applying genetic information in real-world contexts, as well as foster collaborations, including through the Coalition for Conservation Genetics (CCG). Through all of this, the CGSG is working toward safeguarding the evolutionary resilience of species and contributing to global efforts to halt biodiversity loss.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s largest network dedicated to environmental protection, bringing together both government bodies and civil society organizations. As a membership-based union, it includes more than 1,400 member groups and a community of over 17,000 volunteer experts across 160+ countries. This broad collaboration and wealth of scientific knowledge position IUCN as a leading global authority on the health of our planet and the actions needed to preserve it.

The Species Survival Commission (SSC) is a global community of over 10,500 specialists representing nearly every nation. United by the vision of “a just world that values and conserves nature through positive action to prevent biodiversity loss,” SSC focuses its efforts on three core areas: assessing the state of biodiversity, developing conservation strategies, and driving initiatives that translate those plans into real-world impact.