Credits: IUCN World Conservation Congress
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Official link: https://iucncongress2025.org

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress 2025 is scheduled to convene from October 9-15, 2025, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This quadrennial event represents the world’s largest and most inclusive environmental decision-making forum, bringing together governments, civil society organizations, indigenous peoples, businesses, and academic institutions to address the most pressing challenges in nature conservation and sustainable development.

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The significance of the 2025 Congress cannot be overstated. As the global community approaches the 2030 deadline for several critical environmental agreements, including the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement on climate change, this gathering will serve as a crucial platform for accelerating action and ambition. The Congress will play a pivotal role in shaping conservation and sustainability agendas for the coming years, influencing policies and practices worldwide.

The event will be structured around three primary components:

1. The Forum: This segment will feature a diverse array of workshops, dialogues, and training sessions, facilitating knowledge exchange and fostering innovative solutions to global challenges.
2. The Exhibition: Open to both Congress participants and the public, this showcase will highlight cutting-edge research, technologies, and initiatives in conservation and sustainable development.
3. The Members’ Assembly: As the highest decision-making body of IUCN, the Assembly will see members vote on motions that will guide the organisation’s policy and program of work.

The Congress will focus on five key themes:

1. Scaling up conservation efforts
2. Reducing climate risks
3. Promoting nature-positive economies
4. Advancing conservation governance
5. Leveraging technology and innovation for nature

Participants will include a diverse range of stakeholders, from government representatives and policymakers to scientists, NGO leaders, indigenous peoples’ representatives, and business executives. This multidisciplinary approach ensures a comprehensive and inclusive dialogue on environmental issues.

The choice of Abu Dhabi as the host city is noteworthy, reflecting the growing importance of the Middle East in global conservation efforts. It also provides an opportunity to highlight regional environmental challenges and successes, particularly in arid ecosystems and marine conservation.

The outcomes of the Congress are expected to have far-reaching implications. Resolutions passed during the Members’ Assembly will influence national and international environmental policies. The knowledge shared and partnerships formed during the event will likely catalyze new conservation initiatives and research collaborations.

Moreover, the Congress will serve as a critical milestone in the lead-up to other major environmental conferences and negotiations scheduled for the latter half of the 2020s, potentially shaping the global environmental agenda for decades to come.

The IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 represents a significant juncture in global efforts to address biodiversity loss, climate change, and sustainable development. Its deliberations and outcomes will be closely watched by environmental professionals, policymakers, and concerned citizens worldwide, as they collectively strive to create a more sustainable and equitable future for both nature and humanity.