Media FAQ

Accreditation is required for all media who wish to cover the IUCN Conservation Congress on-site. Online accreditation is the only official channel for media representatives to register for the IUCN World Conservation Congress. IUCN is not in a position to process accreditation requests sent through any other channel (e-mail, fax, post, etc). 

Only completed applications will be processed. If your request does not have the required documents (copy of press card, letter of assignment, links to or images of articles), delays can occur.

Once your accreditation request is approved, you will receive a confirmation via e-mail, containing your personal login information to access the press section of the IUCN Congress website. From there, you can access press materials as well as information on how to book discounted accommodation in Marseille.

We will not be sending press badges via mail. If you are getting accreditation to cover the Congress on-site, you need to come in person to collect your media pass at the event.

Please note that applying for accreditation does not guarantee registration.

Media accreditation is reserved for media professionals (print, photo, radio, television, film, news agencies and online media) who represent a bona fide media organisation. IUCN is committed to transparency and ensuring free and open access for media to the Congress. However, we can only give accreditation on proof of a track record of reporting for media organisations. Applications are considered on a case-by-case basis.

No. Double registration is not allowed (e.g. as press and delegate, or as press and NGO). If you are already registered for the IUCN Congress as part of a delegation, your application for press accreditation will not be granted.

Freelance journalists are subject to the same requirements for accreditation as outlined above. In the absence of an assignment from a specific news organization or publication (incl. a valid assignment letter from that news organization, or publication), you will be asked to submit proof of your previous work. Photographic agencies must provide clear evidence from a client news organization or publication. You will also be asked to submit the other required documents for accreditation.

Accreditation of bloggers for the IUCN Congress will be done on a case-by-case basis and criteria currently applied to online media will be applied.

If the media platform meets standards such as having editorial board oversight, it may be eligible for accreditation according to the same criteria applied to online media.

Independent film production companies are required to provide a letter from a broadcast organisation or film distributor outlining their commitment to air or distribute the work, or from the IUCN Member or partner organisation that supports the production. The project should be related to nature conservation. You must also submit the other required documents for accreditation.

No. Your name should be included on the official delegation list and you will be registered as a member of the Member’s delegation. The communications and media team will be happy to assist with outreach to the media. However, you will not be granted free entry to Congress or access to the reserved media areas.

All journalists travelling with government representatives should be included on the official delegation list and registered as a member of the delegation.

In order to complete the process you will need the information detailed below. All information must be as it appears in the passport or other official photo identification document which the participant intends to present at the registration desk.

• Complete name as it appears on official photo identification
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Passport or other photo identification number (driver’s license, etc.)
• Email address

The names and information entered are for purposes of identification and verification only. Required information is used for accreditation and statistical purposes and will not be published for general access. If you indicate during the accreditation process that you’d like to receive IUCN press releases in the future, we will retain your contact information in our system for this purpose..

In addition to your personal data, your accreditation request must be supported by the following documents:

Either:

A valid press card

AND

A letter of assignment on official letterhead of the media organisation (signed by the publisher / assignment editor, Editor-in-Chief or Bureau Chief) specifying the name and functional title of the journalist.

OR, in the absence of the above, 

Links to three recent articles or stories you have written or produced that have been published by a recognised media outlet, with your by-line on the article. For audio and video files, please provide a time stamp the section featuring your name.

If submitting links to recent articles, please provide URLs in the field provided in the accreditation form.

• Print media representatives may be required to submit three by-lined articles published within the past year. These may be scanned PDF or image files or links to the article online.
• Audiovisual journalists may be asked to submit three recordings of reports or podcasts broadcast within the past year.
• Photographers may be required to submit original tear sheets or photos with credits of the issuing organisation. It is also possible to provide links to photos online, as long as the photo attribution is clearly that of the applicant.
• Online media may include links to articles, blog posts, vlogs and others.
  • The website must belong to a recognised media organisation and have a specific, verifiable street address and a telephone number.
  • Outlets should have been in continuous operation for at least six months and reach at least 20,000 visitors per month.
  • The website must have at least 60% original news content, commentary, or analysis, including coverage of climate change. Websites that only aggregate syndicated web content from other sources and do not feature original content will not be accredited.
  • The website must be updated at a minimum of three times a week.

If uploading your press card and assignment letter, please share PDF or image files using the upload function in the accreditation form.  There is a file size limit of 4 MB.  IUCN will not accept materials sent separately by e-mail.

We are aware that assignments can change at short notice. Please communicate changes in staff as soon as they are known. The applicant will have to complete the same process, but as long as they have the required valid materials, there is usually little delay in processing.

Every effort will be made to issue the accreditation as soon as possible. We endeavour to get back to you within 2 weeks at the most.

Once you have received confirmation of your accreditation as an on-site journalist, you will automatically be registered to attend the IUCN Congress. You may collect your badge on-site at the registration desk at the conference venue. You must present the same valid photo ID as used in your profile.

You will also be sent login information to the IUCN Congress website. With this information, you will be able to access discounted hotel bookings as well as press materials such as images etc.

No. Media representatives accredited to cover the IUCN Congress are responsible for their own travel and hotel bookings. Accredited media are entitled to discounts offered by Marseille hotels, accessible through the IUCN Congress website (login required).

Journalists do not require any special visa other than those applicable to their country of nationality. However, we encourage you to check with your local French embassy/consulate to verify that no additional information is required as part of your visa application.

Exception: If you are a US journalist, you need to apply for a journalist visa to enter France. Please contact your local French embassy for further information about the process.

If you do require a visa to enter France, you can download an invitation letter from the registration system to support your visa application if you indicated such a need during the registration process. The letter will only be available for download once your accreditation has been granted.

Media accreditation allows journalists free access to all public events during the IUCN Congress, all public areas within the Congress venues, and restricted, designated media areas and events such as press conferences. Accreditation may only be used for coverage of the IUCN Congress, and does not constitute an endorsement for any other purpose.

Accredited media are also entitled to discounts at various hotels in Marseille during Congress. Access to booking will be via the Congress website after creating a login.

All accredited press have access to the media centre, press conference room(s), exhibit areas, side events, open plenary sessions and any public areas in the Congress venue. Specific information on media arrangements at conferences is provided through Daily Media Briefs. These are issued every morning during Congress. All accredited press accessing the Congress premises must pass through security screening, including those with equipment.

If your media pass is lost or stolen, you must immediately report it to the press registration desk in the conference venue.