IUCN World Conservation Congress kicks off in Abu Dhabi

The UAE has officially welcomed the world for the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, a once-every-four-years gathering of nature conservation experts, leaders and decision-makers from around the world held from October 9 to 15 in Abu Dhabi.

Co-hosted by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the Congress will shine the spotlight on the nation’s legacy of conservation and its vision for driving collective, science-based solutions and biodiversity.

The UAE’s hosting reflects over five decades of environmental stewardship, rooted in the vision of the UAE's Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Today, the UAE leads globally in species protection and reintroduction, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable innovation, from its commitment to restore 100 million mangroves by 2030 to the deployment of advanced climate-tech platforms and marine research vessels.

Against the backdrop of the 2030 deadlines for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, and global climate targets, the Congress is expected to launch landmark initiatives and shape the international policy agenda.

The programme for the Congress will reflect the scale of ambition and urgency required to address the interlinked crises of biodiversity loss and sustainable development.

Key announcements will include the release of the updated IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, a new European Red List with a focus on pollinators, and the latest IUCN World Heritage Outlook.

Alongside the main Congress sessions, through high-level panels, forums, and ministerial engagements, the UAE will highlight its pioneering initiatives across Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6, 13, 14, and 15, ranging from innovative blue carbon and mangrove restoration projects to cutting-edge marine science, sustainable fisheries management and ambitious species reintroductions.

Prestigious conservation awards, including the Coolidge memorial medal, the John C. Phillips memorial medal, and the international ranger awards will also be presented, honouring outstanding contributions to protecting ecosystems worldwide.

In addition, IUCN members will gather for the Union’s Members’ Assembly to debate and vote on more than 200 motions, decisions that will shape global conservation priorities in the decade ahead.