Abu dhabi: Organised by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and co-hosted by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 will take place in Abu Dhabi from 9-15 October 2025. The congress is expected to launch international initiatives that will attract global attention due to their role in shaping the future of environmental action and advancing nature conservation worldwide.
According to Emirates News Agency, the IUCN World Conservation Congress will bring together government leaders, indigenous communities, youth, researchers, civil society, and the private sector to catalyse a new era of transformative conservation, shaped by innovation and shared purpose. This congress presents an opportunity to accelerate action and scale up collaborative solutions to address the interconnected needs of nature, people, and sustainable development, as the 2030 deadline for the Paris Agreement, Sustainable Development Goals, and KM Global Biodiversity Framework approaches.
Significant announcements include an update to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, a new edition of the IUCN European Red List focusing on pollinators, and the latest IUCN World Heritage Outlook. IUCN will also announce the recipients of the Coolidge Memorial Medal and the John C. Phillips Memorial Medal, along with the 2025 winners of the International Ranger Awards. The congress will also reveal the host country for the next IUCN World Parks Congress.
The UAE's legacy of conservation is rooted in initiatives by its Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed, including species reintroduction programmes and a ban on wild bird hunting since the 1970s. The country is recognised globally for nature protection and coastal marine restoration, with a commitment to restoring 100 million mangroves by 2030. Innovations like the Nabat AI climate-tech platform, the Jaywun marine research vessel, and the Plant Genetic Resources Centre highlight the UAE's fusion of ancestral knowledge and modern science.
Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, emphasized the UAE's leading role in developing solutions to environmental challenges. The country is home to 49 nature reserves, covering 15.5% of its territory, and undertakes efforts to conserve endangered species and cultivate mangroves as a climate change solution. The UAE's Clean Rivers Foundation initiative further underscores its commitment to ocean protection.
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, highlighted the UAE's model of innovation and inclusivity in conservation efforts. She noted the congress programme's focus on urgent and ambitious goals, the role of indigenous people, and the integration of conservation into energy projects. The event will host diverse speakers to shape the future of conservation through dialogue and shared purpose.
Dr. Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General, stated the congress is a pivotal opportunity for real solutions grounded in science and policy. It will feature global changemakers like Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Juan Carlos Navarro, Razan Al Mubarak, Dr. David Obura, Alessandra Yupanqui, and Eric Jing, who will provide insights across key conservation themes.
The IUCN Congress 2025 will also convene the Members' Assembly, IUCN's highest decision-making body, to debate and vote on motions that define its policy agenda. A total of 200 draft motions have been proposed, reflecting the urgency of conservation action to meet global biodiversity and sustainable development goals.