Members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have delivered overwhelming support for the vast majority of motions in a recent round of electronic voting, underscoring strong global consensus on urgent conservation priorities. According to official results published, most proposals on biodiversity, climate, and ecosystem protection received approval rates above 90 percent, with several passing unanimously.
Among the highlights, motions on wetlands conservation, coral reef bleaching, and adoption of the IUCN Green List Standard each achieved almost 100 percent support from those casting votes. Similarly, initiatives to protect grasslands, restore forest soils, and accelerate sustainable agriculture all passed with near-unanimous backing, reflecting widespread alignment among governments, NGOs, and Indigenous Peoples’ Organisations.
While the number of votes on each motion varied, with some proposals drawing higher participation than others, the overall pattern suggests that IUCN’s diverse membership remains united on core conservation imperatives.
“Such clear results send a powerful message that nature conservation remains a unifying agenda even in polarised times,” said Kathryn Gwiazdon, member of the Motions Working Group.
Meanwhile, 40 motions were sent to the Congress for further debate and vote at the Members’ Assembly. They span a wide range of issues from the just energy transition and geoengineering to the rights of nature, plastic pollution, recognition of ecocide as a crime, nature-positive business frameworks, biodiversity credits, Indigenous leadership, the commercial pet trade, territories of life, and more.
This highly democratic and consultative process seeks to ensure that the policy decisions taken at IUCN’s Congress are not only driven by the latest scientific and legal developments and expertise, but that they are genuinely impactful upon their adoption; that they are more than just words on paper. Rather, by convening at the Congress, Members have a unique opportunity to tackle pressing global priorities, and laying the groundwork for commitments, decisions, and action that can shape international conservation for years to come.
Access the e-vote results.