• Abu Dhabi is preparing to host thousands of global conservation experts, policymakers, scientists, and civil society leaders as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) convenes its World Conservation Congress from October 9 to 15, 2025.
  • The theme for this year’s Congress is “Powering Transformative Conservation,” reflecting the urgency to find practical and inclusive solutions to the escalating environmental crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.

Abu Dhabi is preparing to host thousands of global conservation experts, policymakers, scientists, and civil society leaders as the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) convenes its World Conservation Congress from October 9 to 15, 2025.

The event will be held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, bringing together more than 1,400 IUCN member organizations from across the world.

The IUCN World Conservation Congress is held every four years and is considered one of the most significant global events for biodiversity and environmental governance.

It provides a platform where governments, non-governmental organizations, Indigenous peoples, nature conservation experts, leaders and decision-makers from around the world come together to exchange ideas, showcase innovation, and adopt motions that guide international conservation priorities.

The theme for this year’s Congress is “Powering Transformative Conservation,” reflecting the urgency to find practical and inclusive solutions to the escalating environmental crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.

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The agenda is structured around five key themes: scaling up resilient conservation action, reducing climate overshoot risks, delivering on equity, transitioning to nature-positive economies, and driving innovation and leadership in conservation.

According to the IUCN, the 2025 edition will also be the first fully hybrid Congress, allowing both in-person and online participation to enhance inclusivity and global engagement.

The Congress is organized into three main parts. The Forum, taking place from October 9 to 12, will serve as a global marketplace of ideas where participants will share science, solutions, and best practices through workshops, dialogues, and discussions.

The Exhibition, open from October 9 to 13, will showcase innovations, projects, and partnerships from around the world. The final segment, the Members’ Assembly, will be held from October 13 to 15, where IUCN members will debate and vote on motions that will shape future conservation policy and practice.

Since 1948, the IUCN has played a central role in shaping global conservation efforts. Many of the IUCN World Conservation Congress resolutions have influenced international agreements and national environmental policies, including the protection of species that are endangered and the establishment of protected areas all over the world.

Through these decisions, the Congress helps to steer the world toward achieving the goals of not only the Global Biodiversity Framework but also the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG's).

The upcoming Congress in Abu Dhabi is expected to reinforce the importance of global collaboration at a time when ecosystems face unprecedented pressure. With its blend of scientific dialogue, policy action, and innovation, the IUCN Congress remains one of the most influential gatherings in shaping the future of nature conservation worldwide.