12/10/2025
11:00 - 12:30
CR B: Forum - Session Room 9
, Hybrid (onsite with livestreaming)
Session with interpretation
Why attend
This session explores investment, innovative management (e.g. OECMs), and citizen involvement in Urban Protected Areas. With a globally representative panel and an interactive World Café format, this session will provide important insights for the 11-year update of the IUCN Urban Protected Area Guidelines.
Session Description
This session will explore challenges and opportunities for Urban Protected Areas management, financial sustainability, and citizen engagement - fostering a global conversation on the most important developments, and highlighting innovative solutions and perspectives. We'll discuss the role of urban protected areas, OECMs, National Park Cities, citizen-declared urban forests, urban pacts, and other strategies amplifying urban biodiversity conservation.We will feature three renowned international panelists with expertise in urban nature conservation, discussing key challenges such as financing mechanisms, governance models, and civic engagement for effective urban NbS. The session will also address how protected areas in cities can generate economic benefits, improve ecological connectivity, and support climate adaptation.
This timely discussion is crucial for shaping the 11-year update of the IUCN Urban Protected Area Guidelines. Participants will explore scaling NbS and protected areas to create greener, more resilient, and livable cities, gaining practical strategies and insights to strengthen global urban conservation efforts.