IUCN

IUCN has adopted the first-ever global policy on synthetic biology and nature conservation. The policy was adopted by IUCN’s highest decision-making body, its Members’ Assembly, comprising the Union's Governmental, Non-Governmental, and Indigenous Peoples' Organisations, at the #IUCNcongress in Abu Dhabi. The policy covers synthetic biology in relation to nature conservation, whether applied for the purpose of conservation, or in other sectors such as industry, agriculture, or medicine, with potential direct or indirect impacts to nature. Learn more ➡️ https://lnkd.in/exKWsvJi

🌍 The curtain closes on an inspiring week at the #IUCNcongress in Abu Dhabi! Over 10,000 participants from governments, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, academia and business came together, united by one vision: a nature-positive future. 🌱 ✨ Highlights from this year’s Congress: ✅ 1,000+ events shaping global conservation ✅ 147 Resolutions adopted, including the first on synthetic biology and one recognising ecocide as a crime ✅ 100+ new IUCN Members welcomed, including six new State Members ✅ ISO 20121:2024 certification for sustainable event management 🌿 The Congress also featured groundbreaking updates from the IUCN Red List and the first World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature, highlighting the power of justice, inclusion and traditional knowledge. Members adopted a bold 20-year Strategic Vision and re-elected H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak as IUCN President. 🗳️ With just five years left to achieve the 2030 goals, the message is clear: let’s scale up ambition, strengthen collaboration and accelerate action for nature! 🌏💚 Next stop: 🇵🇦 Panama, host of the IUCN World Protected and Conserved Areas Congress in 2027! #IUCNcongress #NaturePositive #TogetherForNature #Biodiversity #ClimateAction #ConservationLeadership

📣 News: IUCN Members elect President, new Council and Commission Chairs. Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak will serve a second term as IUCN President, alongside newly elected leaders across its Commissions and Council. President Al Mubarak reflected on her first term as “impactful and rewarding,” and pledged to broaden the Union’s reach and impact over the coming years, guided by the 20-year Strategic Vision and Congress Resolutions. The Commissions also welcomed new Chairs and Vice-Chairs, with five Commissions electing new leadership and two renewing their mandates. Among those stepping down is Jon Paul Rodríguez, who led a transformative tenure as Chair of the Species Survival Commission, doubling conservation action and earning a Guinness World Record. 🔗 Learn more about the new leadership team: https://bit.ly/46QRlbY #IUCNcongress #Leadership #IUCNMembers #ConservationLeadership #Biodiversity #RazanAlMubarak #IUCNCommissions #GlobalConservation #IUCN

🌍 The #IUCNcongress concludes in Abu Dhabi with a bold vision for nature conservation. After an inspiring week in Abu Dhabi, the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 has officially ended, setting the course for global conservation efforts for the next 20 years. The Congress brought together over 10,000 participants from government, civil society, Indigenous Peoples' Organisations, academia, and business, united by a shared commitment to a nature-positive future. 📌 Key outcomes and achievements: ✅ 1,000+ events shaping the future of conservation ✅ 147 Resolutions adopted, including the first-ever policy on synthetic biology and a motion to recognise ecocide as a crime ✅ 100+ new Members welcomed into the IUCN Union, including six states ✅ ISO 20121:2024 certification for sustainable event management ✅ Major scientific updates: • 43% of natural World Heritage sites now threatened by climate change • Nearly 100 wild bee species in Europe newly classified as threatened • Arctic seals facing growing risks due to climate change • Green sea turtles are rebounding thanks to conservation action 🌐 The Congress also hosted the first-ever World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature, reinforcing the importance of justice, inclusion, and traditional knowledge in conservation. 📢 The Abu Dhabi Call to Action urges the global community to accelerate efforts across five key areas, from scaling up resources to advancing innovation and reaffirming nature as the foundation of well-being. 🗳️ Members approved a new 20-year Strategic Vision and elected Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak for a second term as IUCN President. 📣 With only five years left to meet the 2030 targets, the Congress sent a clear message: ambition must rise, collaboration must deepen, and action must accelerate. Next milestone: 🇵🇦 Panamá, host of the IUCN World Protected and Conserved Areas Congress in 2027. 🔗Read more: https://bit.ly/3W3nZkq #IUCNcongress #NaturePositive #Biodiversity #ClimateAction #TogherforNature #ConservationLeadership

🌿The #IUCNcongress in Abu Dhabi has been officially certified under the ISO 20121:2024 Standard for Sustainable Event Management, recognising IUCN’s commitment to embedding sustainability across all aspects of the Congress. The Congress met the global benchmark for sustainable event management, showcasing environmentally responsible, socially inclusive, and economically viable practices. A comprehensive sustainability strategy was implemented, eliminating single-use plastics, introducing innovative air-to-water technology, prioritising low-impact catering, measuring and offsetting emissions, and partnering locally to reduce waste. “Sustainability is at the heart of IUCN and its work. This certification is a testament to our commitment to responsible practices, from energy use to waste reduction, setting a benchmark for how global events can drive positive environmental and social impact,” said Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General. This is the third time IUCN has achieved ISO 20121 certification, following the 2016 (Hawaii) and 2021 (Marseille) Congresses, reaffirming its leadership in hosting responsible global events. 📖 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dzG59A2j   #ISO20121 #ClimateAction #SustainableEvents #EventSustainability

🌍 From the halls of Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, where over 10,000 participants have gathered for the #IUCNcongress, the atmosphere is charged with collaboration and purpose. At the core of this global gathering lies the motions process — one of the most distinctive and democratic features of the Congress. Within the Members’ Assembly, IUCN’s diverse Membership, including governments, NGOs, Indigenous Peoples’ Organisations, scientists, and civil society, debates, amends, and votes on proposals addressing some of the world’s most pressing environmental and conservation challenges. These motions shape the Union’s policies and set the course for global conservation action in the years ahead, reflecting the collective will and vision of the global community. 🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dyak-7f9 #GlobalGovernance #ConservationPolicy #IUCNMembers #DemocracyInAction #Motions

🌍 The Restoration Initiative Named a UN World Restoration Flagship 🌿   IUCN is proud to announce that The Restoration Initiative (TRI) has been recognised as a World Restoration Flagship under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030). The announcement was made during the final day of #IUCNcongress and a high-level event at the World Food Forum in Rome.   Led by IUCN and funded by the Global Environment Facility, TRI spans nine countries across Africa and Asia, addressing land degradation and restoring ecosystems through policy integration, community action, and strong partnerships.   📊 Key achievements: • 360,000+ hectares under restoration • 717,000 hectares under improved management • 420,000+ people directly benefited • 30 million tonnes of CO₂ mitigated • 61 enabling policies adopted   TRI’s recognition highlights its contribution to the global goal of restoring one billion hectares by 2030. With another 500,000 hectares targeted, TRI continues to demonstrate that restoration is not only about landscapes—it’s about resilience, equity, and sustainable futures.   🔗 Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dkcat_43   #RestorationDecade #UNDecade #EcosystemRestoration #ClimateAction #Biodiversity #NaturePositive FAO UN Environment Programme

🌿 IUCN Celebrates Global Conservation Leaders at #IUCNcongress 🌍 At the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, IUCN recognised individuals whose work has made a lasting impact on nature conservation and environmental protection. 🏅 John C. Phillips Memorial Medal Awarded to Hon Marina Silva, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Brazil, for exceptional service in international conservation and leadership in environmental policy. 🏅 Harold Jefferson Coolidge Memorial Medal Awarded to Dr Simon Stuart, Chief Scientific Advisor at Synchronicity Earth, for a lifetime of contributions to species conservation and empowering future conservationists. 🏅 Honorary Membership of IUCN Conferred upon three distinguished individuals for their outstanding contributions to the mission of IUCN: 🔹 Dr Sylvia A. Earle – Oceanographer and founder of Mission Blue 🔹 Mr McNeely Jeff – Conservation strategist and long-time IUCN contributor 🔹 Dr John Robinson – Senior leader at the Wildlife Conservation Society and former IUCN Council Vice President These awards reflect the collective effort and unwavering commitment required to protect our planet. IUCN thanks these leaders for their vision, courage, and dedication—and for inspiring the next generation of conservation champions. #IUCNcongress #ConservationLeadership #NatureForAll #Biodiversity #EnvironmentalProtection #Sustainability

Welcome to Day 7 - Final Day of hashtag #IUCNcongress 2025 🌿 🌍We’ve reached the last day of this incredible journey in Abu Dhabi, but the momentum continues! The Members’ Assembly is still in session, with a few final motions being debated and voted on, and the democratic process remains strong. 🤝 Yesterday’s turnout was remarkable with Members showed deep engagement and commitment, shaping the future of conservation through thoughtful debate and decisive action. The Assembly continues to be a powerful space for collaboration, policy-making, and collective vision. The work doesn’t end here, it continues in every community, ecosystem, and policy shaped by the voices gathered this week. 🙌 Let’s make this last day count! #NatureForAll #MembersAssembly #ConservationAction #IUCNcongress

🌍 Day 6 Highlights from #IUCNcongress As we close Day 6 of the Congress, we celebrate a major milestone coming from the Member’s Assembly: the adoption of important motions that will shape the future of global conservation. Among them, Motion 035: Protection of Mesopelagic Ecosystem Integrity stands out as a critical step forward for ocean health and climate action, calling for precautionary regulation of activities in the mesopelagic zone and recognition of its vital role in climate regulation and biodiversity. 🌊 🗳️ The motion process continues tomorrow on the final day of the Congress. 🔗 Discover other motions on the agenda here: https://lnkd.in/dDXFyPYk #IUCNcongress #OceanConservation #ClimateAction #BiodiversityMatters #TogetherForNature