KBA Partnership

A global force for conservation

In 2016, a group of the world’s leading nature conservation organisations united to launch the ambitious Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) Partnership. This Partnership now numbers 13 organisations. Their collaboration aims to strengthen global conservation efforts by systematically mapping and safeguarding the planet’s most important sites for biodiversity.

The KBA Committee

These organisations form the KBA Committee which oversees and supports the KBA Programme.

BirdLife International

IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)

American Bird Conservancy

Amphibian Survival Alliance

Conservation International

Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund

Global Environment Facility (GEF)

NatureServe

Rainforest Trust

Re:wild

Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB)

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)

WWF (World Wildlife Fund)

The KBA Partnership focuses on:

Documenting and mapping globally significant biodiversity sites to create a clear picture of where conservation action is most needed.
Directing scarce conservation resources strategically to protect these priority places.
Monitoring sites to ensure they retain their KBA values to ensure they are not lost.
Promoting targeted investments that maximise impact at sites critical for nature’s survival.

The KBA Partnership operates transparently and inclusively, working closely with governments, international agencies, local organisations, and individuals. This collective effort represents the first time the global conservation community has united at this scale to identify and protect the most critical sites for nature.

The KBA Partnership welcomes other suitable organisations to join and contribute to this global initiative. Together, we aim to expand the reach and impact of the KBA Programme, ensuring that conservation actions are informed by the best available science and local knowledge.

The KBA Partnership Agreement outlines the collaboration framework. As the Programme evolves, some annexes to the Agreement may be updated based on lessons learned during implementation.

Read The KBA Partnership Agreement