This year’s Forum, which took place between 3-5 September 2024, offered a comprehensive platform for discussing crucial conservation issues and the importance of scaling up species conservation action.

A focus on tiger conservation

The Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHCP) hosted a side event titled “Tigers: Leading the Charge for a Nature-Positive Asia.” Attended by over 65 participants, the event emphasised the critical role of tigers as apex predators in maintaining ecosystem health and highlighted the programme’s achievements over its 11 years.

The IUCN ITHCP Coordinator Phurba Lhendup and keynote speaker Elke Hellstern from KfW discussed the programme’s successes, including a near tripling of tiger populations in Nepal and its shift towards a holistic conservation approach. Other speakers, such as Sonam Wangdi (Chief of Nature Conservation Division, Department of Forests and Park Services, Bhutan) and Dr. Naresh Subedi (Director, National Trust for Nature Conservation, Nepal), addressed the integration of local communities in conservation efforts and challenges like climate change and human-wildlife conflict.

Discussions also covered the need for enhanced support for victims of wildlife attacks, increased government investment, and better international cooperation to combat illegal wildlife trade. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from Ms. Somying Thunhikorn (Specialist on Wildlife Conservation, Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, Thailand) who commended the support network for tiger conservation and expressed interest in further collaboration with ITHCP.

Introducing the Global Species Action Plan (GSAP) to broader audiences

During the parallel session titled “Species Actions,” IUCN Senior Programme Manager Dao Nguyen presented GSAP and its Online Knowledge Platform, highlighting how these tools can assist governments and key stakeholders in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) targets to achieve species conservation outcomes. GSAP has been developed to facilitate the implementation of the GBF by outlining the strategic interventions and actions necessary to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of species, as aligned with the GBF’ Mission, goals, and targets.

In a separate Learning Zone session, co-hosted with the IUCN Academy, IUCN Members in Asia were introduced to GSAP and the GSAP SKILLS Online Knowledge Platform. Participants learned how these tools can be applied in their conservation efforts. The session showcased the key features of both platforms and demonstrated how to integrate GSAP-recommended actions when updating and implementing National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). It also promoted the use of GSAP and GSAP SKILLS, encouraging participants to share their technical tools, success stories, and case studies related to species conservation, and to actively engage with the platform to further support GSAP implementation.

Forum highlights and key discussions

Throughout the Forum, key discussions revolved around priority issues such as the submission process for motions at the next IUCN Congress, fostering collaboration between Members and Commissions, and potential changes to IUCN’s governance structure. Central to these discussions was the need for IUCN to expand its engagement with various sectors, including environmental and development fields, private companies, and local communities, all with the goal of enhancing species conservation.

Participants stressed that a broader collaboration could lead to more effective conservation strategies and better outcomes for species protection. By integrating efforts across different sectors and improving the livelihoods of local communities, IUCN aims to address both the needs of people and the urgent demands of nature conservation.

The Forum, which took place for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, also introduced new initiatives such as the Youth Leaders Forum. This forum provided a platform for youth representatives from around 20 countries to contribute their perspectives on conservation, highlighting the importance of involving diverse voices in shaping the future of our biodiversity.

The 8th Asia RCF successfully highlighted the ongoing efforts and commitment across the Union, setting the stage for a focused and collaborative approach to conservation in the lead-up to the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress.