The IUCN World Parks Congress 2014, which will take place in Sydney, Australia, from 12 to 19 November, is a landmark global forum on protected areas. The Congress will share knowledge and innovation, setting the agenda for protected areas conservation for the decade to come.

Building on the theme “Parks, people, planet: inspiring solutions”, it will present, discuss and create original approaches for conservation and development, helping to address the gap in the conservation and sustainable development agenda.

The IUCN World Parks Congress 2014 will:

- Articulate the vital role of protected areas in conserving nature while delivering essential ecosystem services

- Position protected areas within goals of economic and community well-being, and

- Demonstrate how this can be achieved in practice.

For parks, it will strengthen conservation targets whilst engaging a varied audience from government to general members of society who care about the health of our planet.

For people, it will engage with development sectors and inspire citizens to connect with nature.

For the planet, it will demonstrate nature-based solutions to global challenges such as climate change, health, and supporting for human life.

For the first time, the Congress will collate and communicate the most compelling and inspiring solutions to global challenges. It will help create new sustainable commitments for protected areas across the conservation, development and business sectors. This will be the "Promise of Sydney".

To know more, visit the Congress Website here.

Project AWARE will be at the World Parks Congress to represent the voice of the dive community. For more articles about Project AWARE's involvement in protecting Australia's ocean wilidlife click here: Marine Parks - Stay tuned for updates on Twitter @projectaware#InspiringSolutions