The World Conservation Union (IUCN) has admitted the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources to its membership as a governmental agency. El Caribe reports that the IUCN is the largest and most important conservation network worldwide. Currently, its membership includes 82 states, 111 government agencies, more than 800 non-governmental organizations and 10,000 individual scientists and experts from 181 countries. The IUCN contributes to the strengthening of scientific knowledge about natural resources, biodiversity and natural ecosystems and the services they provide to humanity. It seeks for this knowledge to be used in a practical manner, balancing the interests of scientists, politicians, business leaders and non-governmental organizations to influence the way the world values and uses nature.