Republic of Georgia — Georgia is bounded by the Russian Federation to the north, by Azerbaijan to the east, to the south by Armenia and Turkey, and to the west by the Black Sea. The Greater Caucasus and the South Georgian uplands join with the Likhi Range, which divides Georgia into two contrasting climatic zones. The fauna and flora of this country are extremely rich and diverse. (Membership took effect on 1 June 2000)

Uganda — Uganda’s equatorial location, in the middle of Africa, bounded by Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Kenya and Lake Victoria combined with a great variety of terrain types supports an incredible range of biodiversity. Thanks to its geographical position, Uganda is beginning to acquire a name for itself as an important destination for bird watchers. In order to protect and effectively manage these invaluable resources on a sustainable basis, the National Park Department was established in Uganda as early as 1952. The organisation presently manages 10 parks which support the extraordinary diversity of animals and nature. (Membership takes effect on 1 August)

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New Zealand — New Zealand’s National Parks and protected areas cover about 30 percent of its land area. They are of irreplaceable value as they offer a safe place for endangered flora and fauna. The New Zealand region has probably the greatest diversity of seabirds in the world, including many endemic species and some which are globally threatened. There are many wetland areas and some of the large coastal sites are important for wintering migratory waders which reach the southernmost point of their migration in these islands. (Membership takes effect on 1 October)

Croatia — Croatia is a crescent-shaped country in the north of the Balkan peninsula with a long coast along the Adriatic Sea and borders with Slovenia, Hungary, Bosnia and Yugoslavia. It has varied landscapes including a barren rocks of the Dinaric Alps, the rolling hills of the Zagorje region north of the capital, Zagreb, and the fertile agricultural region of the Pannonian Plain, bordered by the Drava, Danube and Sava Rivers in the east. Forests cover over one third of the territory. 440,000 ha are protected as National Parks, Nature Parks or other designations. (Membership takes effect on 1 October)