IUCN World Conservation Congress Opens in Abu Dhabi Under UAE Patronage

The IUCN World Conservation Congress, the world’s most prominent international gathering dedicated to nature conservation, officially opened today in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, under the high patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.

The opening ceremony was inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council. His Highness welcomed delegates from across the globe, underscoring the UAE’s ongoing commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainable development.

Hosted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Congress brings together leaders from governments, civil society, Indigenous communities, academia, and the private sector. Over the coming days, attendees will address urgent global challenges, including biodiversity loss, climate change, and the preservation of natural ecosystems.

In his opening remarks, Sheikh Khaled emphasized the importance of international cooperation in protecting the planet’s natural heritage. “Our shared future depends on the decisions we make today,” he said. “The UAE is proud to host this critical forum and reaffirm our commitment to global conservation efforts.”

This marks the first time the IUCN Congress is being held in the Middle East. The event is expected to set the stage for new policy frameworks, strategic conservation initiatives, and global partnerships aimed at achieving the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, said: “Hosting this Congress in Abu Dhabi is both a privilege and a responsibility. The UAE’s journey shows how science, innovation, and international cooperation can transform challenges into shared victories – from restoring more than four million corals and planting 50 million mangroves, to reintroducing the Arabian Oryx and leading global efforts to bring the Scimitar-horned Oryx back from extinction in the wild. These are not just national milestones, but models of collaboration that the world can replicate. As we open the Congress, our message is clear: conservation succeeds when ambition is matched by evidence-based action and global partnership.”

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“As we open this World Conservation Congress, generously co-hosted by the United Arab Emirates…let us celebrate not only what we have achieved, but what we must continue to achieve together. Let us act with the urgency this moment demands, but also with the hope and creativity that this Union embodies. Let us commit to being remembered for what we did right. Together, we can conserve, restore, and rebuild,” said Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General. “Together, we can send a powerful message to the world: that change is possible, that unity is stronger than division, and that a thriving planet and a world that values and conserves nature is within our reach. When future generations look back, may they say: this was the moment when humanity chose wisely. This was the moment when we stood united for nature, for people, for life itself.”

The (IUCN) Congress runs from 9 to 15 October 2025, featuring high-level dialogues, exhibitions, and a series of forums on pressing conservation topics. With nature at a crossroads, the outcomes of this landmark event could shape the global environmental agenda for years to come.