The IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 has officially opened in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

Held under the theme ‘Powering Transformative Conservation’, the Congress marks one of the world’s most influential gatherings for biodiversity and climate action — bringing together government leaders, scientists, Indigenous representatives, and civil society to chart a unified course for the planet’s future.

Jointly organised by the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), the week-long event runs until 15 October and hosts more than 10,000 delegates from across the globe.

Turning Commitments Into Action

The opening day witnessed the signing of several international agreements to accelerate biodiversity efforts and strengthen global cooperation toward achieving the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the 2030 nature targets.

At the IUCN Members’ Assembly, more than 1,400 member organisations deliberated on 200 policy motions, covering areas such as ocean protection, climate-resilient food systems, Indigenous rights, and biodiversity financing. Once adopted, these motions will guide future international conservation law and funding priorities.

UAE’s Vision: Nature at the Heart of Development

Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, underscored the UAE’s leadership in integrating sustainability into national progress:

“Hosting the IUCN Congress reaffirms the UAE’s pioneering role in driving global solutions for the planet’s well-being. Through our National Biodiversity Strategy 2031, we continue to restore ecosystems, protect endangered species, and expand nature reserves, which now cover over 15% of the nation’s land.”

She highlighted the UAE’s global contributions — from renewable energy and river conservation to water sustainability and food security — as proof of the country’s balanced approach to human prosperity and planetary health.

Leadership Voices: Unity and Action for Nature

Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of IUCN, emphasised that the Congress is not only a platform for dialogue but a catalyst for decisive change:

“The wellbeing of people and the wellbeing of nature are inseparable. Here in Abu Dhabi, we have the chance to turn understanding into unity — and unity into action.”

Echoing this sentiment, Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the EAD, spotlighted the UAE’s conservation milestones, including the restoration of over 4 million corals, planting 50 million mangroves, and reintroducing the Arabian Oryx to the wild:

“Our message is clear: conservation succeeds when ambition meets science, innovation, and partnership.”

The UAE Pavilion: Tradition Meets Innovation

At the heart of the Congress venue, the UAE Pavilion immerses visitors in the nation’s conservation legacy through interactive storytelling and scientific innovation. Built from sustainable, locally sourced materials such as palm-based composites and date fibre, the Pavilion reflects the UAE’s circular economy principles.

Through zones dedicated to resilient conservation, equity, and blue-carbon research, it connects ancestral wisdom with modern solutions — showing how heritage and innovation can coexist to sustain life on Earth.

Global Conservation Diplomacy in Action

The UAE’s presence at the Congress highlights its growing influence in international environmental diplomacy. Emirati experts, youth delegates, and partner organisations are leading dialogues on marine protection, biodiversity finance, and climate-resilient ecosystems.

Their collective participation demonstrates how the UAE’s conservation model aligns ecological restoration with economic opportunity, inviting nations to collaborate for a thriving planet where people and nature prosper together.

About the Congress

The IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 features high-level summits, policy sessions, and scientific discussions, serving as a critical platform to unite nations behind tangible, nature-positive action.

As global leaders gather in Abu Dhabi, the message is clear: the time for incremental progress has passed — the decade of transformative conservation has begun.