As the foundation of this document, the IUCN argues that investments in biodiversity conservation will help maintain the flow of ecosystem services and, in turn, will yield both immediate and long-term dividends to human wellbeing.
This paper argues that to deliver internationally-agreed development goals (such as the MDGs), three key challenges need to be addressed, and for each of these three challenges, IUCN proposes actions for implementation: 1) Improving governance of natural resources, 2) Increasing investment in sustainable management of those resources, and 3) Employing relevant technologies, specifically landscape-scale management
In addition, IUCN proposes some 'First Steps' that should be initiated now. Paramount among those first steps is making use of the many tools and efforts that are already in place.