IUCN Congress 2025 – Conservation Action Events & Highlights
Powering transformative conservation: Species Conservation Action at IUCN Congress 2025
From 9–13 October in Abu Dhabi, the IUCN Congress will gather thousands of conservation leaders to accelerate solutions for biodiversity, climate, and people. Join IUCN’s Species Conservation Action (SCA) team as we showcase how scalable, inclusive, and high-impact conservation action is turning global ambition into local reality.
See our events below | Full event lineup | About Congress
Why conservation action matters
The IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 comes at a defining moment. With global biodiversity declining at unprecedented rates and the climate crisis intensifying, urgent and transformative conservation action has never been more vital. Congress calls for bold solutions that unite science, policy, innovation, and equity to safeguard nature while ensuring sustainable futures for people.
Our work demonstrates that when local voices, global partnerships, and innovative tools come together, conservation can drive lasting change — for species, habitats, and people.
Take a look at the sessions below that illustrate how practical, inclusive solutions can accelerate progress toward global biodiversity and climate goals by 2030.
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Six highlight sessions
We will showcase six dynamic events that bridge global priorities with local realities — from scaling up big cat protection and empowering Indigenous leadership, to driving coexistence, funding innovation, and translating strategies into action on the ground.
The confirmed timings for events are listed on this page. Please note that the official Congress programme website may contain small errors regarding start and finish times. Please refer to this page for exact timings.
Friday 10 October
09:30-10:10 | Global Species Action Plan Online Knowledge Platform: one stop shop for conservation tools | Forum Learning Zone, Conference Hall B: Session Room 10
Learn how to use the Global Species Action Plan (GSAP)’s recommended actions to achieve species conservation outcomes for every single target of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
10:30–12:00 | Scaling up global action for big cats: From field solutions to international cooperation | IUCN Programme Pavilion R1
Join us to explore innovative field solutions and international cooperation for big cat conservation. This session highlights pathways to scale up species recovery, sustainable financing, and community-led action, offering practical strategies and partnerships to secure the future of big cats worldwide.
15:00–16:30 | A biodiversity revolution: Scaling species conservation for biodiversity, climate and people | IUCN Programme Pavilion R2
Scaling conservation can unlock powerful solutions for climate, biodiversity, food security, and livelihoods. Engage with diverse voices, uncover blind spots, and discover integrated strategies to mainstream species action into global sustainability efforts.
19:30–21:00 | Strengthening IP&LC Leadership in tiger conservation: Voices from the landscape | IUCN Programme Pavilion R2
Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IP&LC) are vital stewards of tiger landscapes. This evening dialogue elevates IP&LC voices on how rights-based, community-led conservation strengthens coexistence, safeguards habitats, and drives global lessons for equitable conservation. It also explores how different actors, from communities and countries to donors and practitioners, can further enable and support IP&LC leadership.
Saturday 11 October
15:00–16:30 | Species conservation in Madagascar: From NBSAPs to local action for species, habitats and people | IUCN Programme Pavilion R3
Madagascar’s biodiversity is globally unique and under threat. This session bridges national strategies (NBSAPs) with local actions to restore habitats, strengthen livelihoods, and protect both flagship and overlooked species.
Sunday 12 October
18:00–19:30 | Global partnerships for coexistence: Scaling up conservation of apex predators | IUCN Programme Pavilion R1
Discover how conserving apex predators drives biodiversity, ecosystem resilience, and coexistence with people. This session connects science, policy, and finance to field solutions, highlighting pathways for global partnerships and inclusive approaches.
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Other sessions featuring Species Conservation Action
Beyond our six highlight sessions, we will contribute expertise across multiple Congress events. These sessions showcase our cross-cutting role in advancing species conservation through partnerships, policy, and innovation. Explore the full list of sessions where we will participate:
Thursday 9 October
- 14:00-14:45 | Tackling invasive alien species across the EU | IDEA Campaign & IUCN Eastern Europe and Central Asia Regional Office
- 15:00-15:40 | Conservation funding: Empowering action through small grants | Organised by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund | Forum Learning Zone, Conference Hall B: Session Room 9
- 16:30-18:30 | One Health: Tools to integrate human, environmental, and wildlife wellbeing | Forum Learning Zone, Conference Hall B: Session Room 8
Friday 10 October
- 17:30-19:00 | Using lessons, guidelines, tools and knowledge products to enhance capacity for biodiversity monitoring for conservation | Organised by the Species Survival Commission | Forum Learning Zone: Tools for Nature
Saturday 11 October
- 08:30-10:30 | Better grant-making: Exploring best practices and knowledge sharing for grant-making facilities | Forum Learning Zone, Conference Hall B: Session Room 9
- 09:30-10:10 | Mobilising the role of wild animals in ecosystems as a climate solution | Organised by the International Fund for Animal Welfare | Forum Learning Zone, Conference Hall B: Session Room 11
- 10:30-12:00 | Communications for conservation action: Advancing effective communications for conservation impact | IUCN Programme Pavilion R1
- 10:30-12:00 | Small grants for big impact: African CSOs and donors in dialogue | IUCN Programme Pavilion R2
- 11:00-12:30 | Linking conservation translocation goals with strategic monitoring to increase responsible conservation action | Organised by the Smithsonian Institution | Forum, Conference Hall B: Session Room 10
- 11:00-12:30 | Scaling up CSO-led environmental solutions : Launch of the GEF small grants program CSO challenge | Organised by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) | CS-Conservation Action
- 11:00-12:30 | Linking conservation translocation goals with strategic monitoring to increase responsible conservation action | Organised by the Smithsonian Institution | Forum, Conference Hall B: Session Room 10
- 14:00-15:00 | Delivering on Goal A and Target 4 (Nationally) | Reverse the Red Pavilion
- 16:00-17:00 | Corporations supporting conservation action | Reverse the Red Pavilion
Monday 13 October
- 11:00-12:00 | Scaling up conservation action through the IUCN GSAP and Online Platform for better species outcomes | Republic of Korea Pavilion
- 12:00–13:30 | Granting conservation a chance: Exploring the impact of IUCN’s grant-making programmes | IUCN Programme Pavilion R2
- 13:00-13:45 | African visions driving conservation futures | IUCN Africa Pavilion
- 15:00-16:00 | How to scale up species conservation action innovatively and achieve greater impact for all? | Nature Positive Pavilion
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Latest Congress news
Stay up to date with the latest coverage from Abu Dhabi. We’ll be sharing stories, highlights, and outcomes throughout the week:
- IUCN and BBC Media Action announce media partnership for World Conservation Congress | 17 September
- Major announcements previewed ahead of IUCN World Conservation Congress | 1 September
Check back regularly — this section will be updated daily with fresh news and stories from the Congress floor.
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Spotlight: Fondation Segré Conservation Action Fund impact report
Ahead of Congress on 7 October 2025, we will release a new impact report from the Fondation Segré Conservation Action Fund, celebrating years of support for overlooked and threatened species worldwide. This report highlights how small, strategic grants have delivered measurable outcomes for biodiversity and communities.
Initiative
Fondation Segré Conservation Action Fund
Check back here on 7 October to download the report and discover key findings.
