Indigenous peoples have long been at the forefront of biodiversity stewardship. Their lifeways, traditions, and governance systems continue to protect many of the world’s most ecologically vital places. Yet their leadership has too often been undervalued or overlooked in global decision-making.
The Congress in Abu Dhabi offers a chance to change that.
For the first time, IUCN will host a World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature – a platform co-organised with Indigenous leaders and allies, where traditional knowledge will take its rightful place in shaping global conservation and climate solutions. This is not a symbolic gesture. It is a recognition that we cannot achieve the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the Paris Agreement, or IUCN’s own mission without the leadership of Indigenous Peoples.
The Congress also comes at a moment when IUCN is charting its long-term course. Our 20-Year Strategic Vision, developed through a dynamic, Member-driven process, identifies a more just and equitable society as one of its three core outcomes. This is not a separate pillar of our work – it is woven into everything we do. From protected area governance to species recovery, equity and inclusion must shape our methods, our partnerships, and our measures of success.
As President, I have seen the value of bringing diverse voices into the heart of the Union’s work. IUCN’s greatest strength lies in its membership – governments, NGOs, and Indigenous Peoples’ Organisations working together under one roof. And as multilateralism faces growing pressure globally, IUCN must continue to show that collaboration, mutual respect, and shared leadership are not only possible, but essential.
The interest shown by Members in advancing more inclusive approaches – reflected, for example, in Motion 107 on Indigenous leadership and sacred sites – demonstrates the importance of these themes across our Union. As Members come together in Abu Dhabi to shape IUCN’s next Programme of Work, the Congress will serve as a key moment to advance conservation that is both effective and just.
Personally, I see the Congress in Abu Dhabi as an opportunity to listen more deeply, elevate underrepresented voices, and reaffirm our shared commitment to equity in conservation. Supporting Indigenous leadership is not just the right thing to do – it is how we achieve more enduring, inclusive, and transformative outcomes for nature and people.