Abu Dhabi: Under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the IUCN World Conservation Congress will be hosted for the first time in the GCC region, in Abu Dhabi. Organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the environmental event will take place from 9th to 15th October 2025 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
According to Emirates News Agency, the UAE President’s patronage of the IUCN Congress confirms the UAE’s interest in protecting the environment and preserving biodiversity as an essential part of its vision for a sustainable future, in line with His Highness’s directives. The UAE’s hosting of the IUCN World Conservation Congress reflects its commitment to supporting international environmental dialogues and initiatives, providing a global platform that gathers leaders, experts, and decision-makers to collaborate on effective solutions to the most pressing environmental challenges, while further enhancing the UAE’s leadership position in nature and biodiversity conservation, and species protection.
The UAE was awarded the opportunity to host the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi following a comprehensive review process conducted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Council in 2023. The successful bid was submitted by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE), in collaboration with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD). Subsequently, MoCCAE signed the Host Country Agreement on behalf of the UAE Government.
The IUCN Congress is expected to attract in excess of 10,000 participants from more than 160 countries around the world, including government leaders, environmental specialists, scientists, and experts. Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, highlighted the UAE’s ongoing commitment and significant contribution to environmental protection and sustainability. She emphasized the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment’s active role in the congress, driving forward the UAE’s commitment to climate action and environmental sustainability.
Razan Al Mubarak, President of IUCN and Managing Director of EAD, remarked on the UAE’s global leadership in climate action and nature conservation. She noted that the Congress will be a defining moment to accelerate nature-based solutions and strengthen biodiversity, with Abu Dhabi providing a critical platform to forge partnerships and commitments needed for a sustainable future.
Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD, expressed the significance of the UAE’s selection to host the Congress as a global platform for nature conservation. She emphasized the Congress’s role in discussing and developing a global agenda for conserving biodiversity and the opportunity it presents for the region to showcase conservation actions and challenges.
Dr Grethel Aguilar, Director-General of IUCN, expressed gratitude to the UAE for hosting the Congress, highlighting the event’s importance in bringing together global leaders to achieve a just world that values and conserves nature. The Congress, held once every four years, is the highest decision-making body of the union, where accredited delegates from IUCN members convene.
The UAE has full IUCN membership, with the MOCCAE as a state member and several NGO and government members, all contributing to the UAE IUCN National Committee’s activities, chaired by Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri.