As the world's largest and most inclusive nature conservation forum, the IUCN Congress will convene decision-makers from government, civil society, Indigenous peoples' organisations, academia, and business to advance and set the conservation and sustainable development agenda for decades to come.
Among the key announcements to be made during the Congress are:
- An update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™
- An update to the European Red List – featuring pollinators
- The next IUCN World Heritage Outlook – an overview of the global status of natural World Heritage sites
- Winners of the WCPA International Ranger Awards 2025 – the award celebrates rangers and ranger teams around the world
- The host country for the next IUCN World Protected and Conserved Areas Congress 2027 – the world’s premier global forum for setting the agenda for protected areas
The IUCN Congress will feature the Members’ Assembly – the highest decision-making body of IUCN. Members will debate and vote on draft motions, which, when adopted, become Resolutions and Recommendations, forming the core body of IUCN’s policy and programme. These decisions will help drive action on nature loss and other global challenges.
The full list of 40 motions, to be debated and voted upon in-person at Congress (and accessible to journalists), are here.
There will also be a series of summits across the opening days of the event, including: The first World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature, a Business Summit, a Youth Summit, a Philanthropy Summit and the 3rd MENA Oceans Summit.
“These and the many other upcoming announcements at the IUCN World Conservation Congress reflect the scale of ambition and the real possibility of delivering the solutions we need to build a planet where people and nature thrive together,” said Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General.
“The Congress in Abu Dhabi will bring together governments, sub-national governments, Indigenous Peoples, youth, scientists, and the private sector – all vital actors in shaping our collective future. This gathering is not only timely but essential for building the shared momentum and cooperation needed to drive lasting, positive change for people and the planet. Let us come together to turn commitment into action, united as one voice for nature.”
Her Excellency Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, said: "Thanks to the wise vision of its leadership, the UAE continues to strengthen its position as a leading global force for developing practical, innovative solutions to environmental and biodiversity challenges. Today, the UAE is home to 49 nature reserves, encompassing approximately 15.5% of the country's territory. This demonstrates its profound dedication to safeguarding ecosystems and natural habitats. The nation also undertakes substantial efforts to conserve endangered species, both locally and globally, through pioneering reintroduction programs, alongside mangrove cultivation as a nature-based solution to address climate change and protect coastal environments. Furthermore, the UAE spearheads ocean protection through impactful initiatives such as the Clean Rivers Foundation, which helps reduce river and sea pollution and preserve marine ecosystem health. These integrated efforts present an inspiring Emirati model for the world, building our capacity to confront climate change impacts and achieve a balance between development requirements and protecting our natural resources for future generations.”
Her Excellency added: "We are pleased with our distinguished relationship with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). A significant outcome was the inclusion of nine globally important biodiversity sites in the UAE last year – an achievement that truly underscores the nation's efforts to conserve nature. Building on this productive relationship, the UAE's hosting of world leaders and concerned international organisations at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi embodies its standing as a hub for collaboration for nature. Here, political resolve converges with scientific, innovative visions to shape practical solutions to global environmental challenges. Protecting the environment, conserving nature, and fostering biodiversity is a deep-rooted approach established by our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Today, we follow in his footsteps with a spirit of openness and effective partnerships, affirming that international cooperation and the integration of all stakeholders into a single, constructive framework is the true path to building a more sustainable future, a nature that meets the world's needs, and empowering people to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and protect our planet's natural resources.”
Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and IUCN Councillor in Western Asia Region, said: “As we prepare to welcome the world to Abu Dhabi for the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, we are reminded that this is more than a global gathering – it is a defining moment for collective environmental leadership, rooted in our legacy of responsible stewardship.
“The UAE’s journey has evolved into a model of innovation, resilience, and inclusive conservation. We are proud to contribute to this legacy through our pioneering work in habitat restoration, species reintroduction, and marine protection. This is powered by fusing traditional wisdom with cutting-edge technology, guided by our belief that the wellbeing of all life is a shared responsibility. Our partnership with IUCN continues to strengthen global conservation science and action, fostering a shared sense of global responsibility for our planet's thriving biodiversity.
“The Congress programme reflects the urgency and ambition of our time, from new rewilding guidelines and Red List updates to celebrating rangers, aligning with our value of collective progress. We are honoured to host a diverse and inspiring group of speakers who will help shape the future of conservation through dialogue, knowledge, and shared purpose. This Congress is a call to unite across regions, generations, and sectors—to turn commitment into action, and to build a nature-positive future where both humanity and the natural world flourish.”
A diverse group of speakers from across conservation science, policy, and practice has also been confirmed for the Congress.
Key speakers include:
- Razan Al Mubarak, IUCN President
- Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General
- Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment
- David Obura, Chair of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) and Founding Director of CORDIO East Africa
- Juan Carlos Navarro, Minister of Environment, Panama
- Alessandra Yupanqui, Andean activist, and Editor-in-Chief of Sapiens
- Eric Jing, Chairman and CEO, Ant Group
Speakers will contribute insights and perspectives across the Congress themes, helping shape policy and practice through dialogue, knowledge exchange, and collective decision-making.
Press registration for bona fide members of the media is open now, and features in-person and virtual attendance options. The accreditation platform can be accessed here: Press registration | IUCN World Conservation Congress
Visit the IUCN Congress website for more information.
ENDS
Notes to editors
For more information or to set up interviews, please contact:
Amy Coles, Media and Communications Officer, IUCN – amy.coles@iucn.org, +41794157857
The Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi Press Office - pressoffice@ead.gov.ae, +971 2 693-4637, Mobile: +971 50 442-5096
About the IUCN World Conservation Congress
Held every four years, the IUCN World Conservation Congress is one of the largest gatherings of nature conservation experts, leaders and decision-makers from government, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, business, and academia in the world. The event is the democratic forum for the global conservation community to express its views and decide and act on the latest in conservation science, practice and policy - shaping the global conservation and sustainable development agendas for decades to come. Congress is also one of the largest marketplaces for scientists, policy experts, business leaders and professionals from around the globe to share their experience, expertise, and latest research.
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About IUCN
IUCN is a membership Union composed of both government and civil society organisations. It harnesses the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,400 Member organisations and the input of more than 17,000 experts. IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it.
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About Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD)
Established in 1996, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is committed to protecting and enhancing air quality, groundwater as well as the biodiversity of our desert and marine ecosystem. By partnering with other government entities, the private sector, NGOs and global environmental agencies, we embrace international best practice, innovation and hard work to institute effective policy measures. We seek to raise environmental awareness, facilitate sustainable development and ensure environmental issues remain one of the top priorities of our national agenda.
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