Zhang Xinsheng has been the President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since 2012. He is also the co-founder and Executive Chairman of Eco Forum Global (EFG), a premium platform and a public-private partnership organization committed to building consensus among all stakeholders home and abroad for development of a green and sustainable future. He also serves as a member of the Advisory Commission of China State Council. Zhang Xinsheng was elected President of the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2005 (the first time a person from East Asia became President), and served as a member of this Board for eight years (2001-2009). He was also elected Chairman of UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.

As China’s Deputy Minister of Education (2001–2009), Zhang Xinsheng was in charge of educational policy, regulations and international exchange and cooperation. He was elected as a deputy to the 7th and 8th National People’s Congress of China and served as Member of the 11th Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.