Over three days, participants engaged in sessions and workshops addressing biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and climate change. Emphasising the roles of youth and technology, the forum showcased innovative conservation approaches and featured an exhibition of initiatives and advancements.

IUCN President H.E. Razan Al Mubarak and Director General Dr. Grethel Aguilar highlighted the need for a unified approach that combines environmental protection with humanitarian efforts. The forum laid the groundwork for future collaborations ahead of the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi in 2025, reinforcing the importance of ongoing dialogue for resilient ecosystems and thriving communities.

Presenting the Global Species Action Plan

A session titled “Introducing the Global Species Action Plan (GSAP) and Its Online Knowledge Platform to IUCN Members in West Asia” was held, emphasising the importance of scaling up species conservation efforts in the region.

Moderated by Ms. Dao Nguyen, Senior Programme Manager at IUCN, the session aimed to introduce IUCN members to the strategic actions outlined in the GSAP, which supports the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

The GSAP serves as a comprehensive framework for species conservation, providing a structured approach to help stakeholders manage native wild species sustainably and legally. A key component of this initiative is the online toolkit, GSAP SKILLS, which offers a range of resources, training, and technical guidance for effective conservation practices.

The session featured a panel discussion with Mr. Mohammed Manea Al Remeithi (Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, UAE), who shared lessons from EAD’s successful efforts to recover and restore three threatened species. Dr. Nedal Al Ouran (Programme Specialist, Head of Environment, Climate Change & DRR Portfolio, UNDP, Jordan) discussed how countries can integrate species conservation actions from the GSAP into their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) for implementing the GBF. Mr. Ehab Eid (Regional Vice-Chair, IUCN Species Survival Commission, Jordan) spoke on how the IUCN SSC can support efforts to increase threatened species recovery in West Asia, and Mr. Vivek Menon (IUCN Regional Councillor for South and East Asia, Wildlife Trust of India) highlighted the importance of species conservation and the need to scale up efforts to meet the 2030 GBF goals.

The panel discussion highlighted the importance of species conservation, the role of IUCN and the SSC in supporting it, and the need to scale up successful conservation actions. Participants explored how to effectively use the GSAP in West Asia, including its integration with NBSAPs. The conversation emphasised the necessity of cooperation among IUCN Members, the SSC, partners, and other stakeholders to enhance species conservation at both national and regional levels. Key lessons from successful species recovery efforts include the importance of strong partnerships, a solid legal and policy framework, long-term commitment, political will, and a clear conservation strategy.

A path forward

The GSAP session at the IUCN ROWA RCF encouraged IUCN Members and Partners to make use of the GSAP and its Online Knowledge Platform to take actions for species and  collaborate among conservationists in West Asia. By introducing and showing how IUCN Members and Partners can use the GSAP recommended actions, tools and knowledge needed for effective species management, the session aimed to inspire a concerted effort toward species recovery and biodiversity conservation.

As the region moves forward to implement the GBF through the developing, updating and implementing of NBSAPs, the integration of the GSAP the NBSAPs will be essential for achieving the species conservation outcomes for a sustainable future for West Asia.