Why in news?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will hold its World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi from 9–15 October 2025. The congress sets the global agenda for biodiversity and climate action every four years.
Themes and significance
- Scaling up resilient conservation action: Discussions will focus on expanding successful conservation projects and financing nature‑based solutions.
- Reducing climate overshoot risks: Strategies will be explored to prevent global temperatures from breaching critical thresholds by protecting carbon sinks and restoring ecosystems.
- Delivering equity: The congress emphasises indigenous peoples’ rights, gender equality and fair benefit sharing in conservation efforts.
- Nature‑positive economies: Governments and businesses will consider how to align economic activities with ecological regeneration, such as through green finance and sustainable tourism.
- Innovation and leadership: The event will showcase emerging technologies, citizen science and youth leadership to spark transformative change.
Importance for India
India, one of the world’s megadiverse countries, participates actively in IUCN forums. The congress provides an opportunity to share best practices such as community‑led forest management and mangrove restoration. It also helps India align national conservation goals with global targets under the Kunming–Montreal biodiversity framework.