EO 12986Executive OrderClinton · D

Executive Order 12986

International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources

This executive order grants the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) certain privileges and immunities under U.S. law, specifically extending immunity from suit while explicitly withholding broader immunities typically given to international organizations, such as immunity from search/confiscation of property and inviolability of archives, as well as immunity for individual representatives and employees.

Key directives

  • Extend immunity from suit to IUCN pursuant to International Organizations Immunities Act
  • Explicitly exclude application of Section 2(b) (immunity from suit/judicial process for property/assets)
  • Explicitly exclude application of Section 2(c) (immunity from search/confiscation and inviolability of archives)
  • Explicitly exclude application of Section 7(b) (immunity for representatives and employees for official acts)
  • Preserve any privileges IUCN may have or acquire through international agreements or congressional action

Timeline

Immediate

  • IUCN receives immunity from suit under U.S. jurisdiction

Near term (90d)

Long term

  • IUCN operates with limited immunities compared to other international organizations
  • Potential legal disputes over scope of immunity may arise in U.S. courts

Risks & tensions

  • Unusual partial immunity grant creates legal ambiguity—IUCN has immunity from suit as an organization but lacks protections for property/assets and personnel that peer organizations typically enjoy
  • Potential tension between this unilateral designation and IUCN's existing or future treaty-based privileges
  • Vague: 'immunity from suit' scope not defined; could be interpreted narrowly or broadly by courts
Executive Order 12986: International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources · Executive Orders