The IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, held in Abu Dhabi, UAE concluded with major commitments to tackle biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental crime.

Key Outcomes

• The Abu Dhabi Call to Action: 
  • Serves as a 20-year vision document for IUCN’s conservation roadmap.
  • It emphasises Climate resilience and adaptation, Biodiversity recovery, Nature-positive innovation and technology integration
  • Sets a four-year program focusing on implementation and country-level cooperation.
• Regulation of Wildlife Trade: 
  • Over 90% of members supported Motion, calling for global guidelines to regulate the capture and trade of wild animals for the pet industry.
• Responsible Use of Synthetic Biology: 
  • Established a framework for ethical and scientific oversight on synthetic biology applications in conservation.
  • Balances innovation with the need for biosafety and ecological integrity, ensuring genetic engineering tools serve sustainable restoration.
• Fossil Fuel Supply: 
  • Supported by WWF and the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, the motion calls for a just and equitable global phaseout of coal, oil, and gas, emphasizing fair transitions for developing countries.

Other Developments

• Zimbabwe Reinstated: Regained its status as an IUCN State Member, signaling renewed commitment to conservation governance.
• IUCN World Heritage Outlook 2025: Revealed that only 57% of natural World Heritage sites have a positive conservation outlook, down from 62% in 2020, due to climate change, invasive species, and diseases.
• Indigenous Leadership: The first World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature was held, underscoring the critical role of Indigenous stewardship and equitable governance in ecosystem management.

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