Reflecting the growing urgency of biodiversity loss and the shortcomings of previous efforts to curb biodiversity loss, and as stated by the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office on 1 September 2025, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress, scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi from 9–15 October 2025, is set to become a pivotal milestone in shaping a renewed global pathway for nature protection while linking it to climate and sustainable development agendas.
- The release of the updated IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, underscoring the accelerating pace of biodiversity decline and the limited success of restoration programs.
- The launch of the European Red List of Pollinators, highlighting increasing concerns about global food security risks posed by declining pollinator populations.
- The presentation of the World Heritage Outlook 2025, expected to reveal the vulnerability of natural heritage sites to climate change, conflict, and funding gaps.
- Greater emphasis on nature-based solutions within climate strategies, particularly in carbon sequestration and disaster adaptation.
- Debates over innovative financing mechanisms to close the global biodiversity funding gap, coupled with calls for stronger inclusion of local communities, Indigenous peoples, and youth.
Amid the unprecedented pace of species extinction and weakening ecosystem resilience, the Congress is expected to reaffirm commitments to the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). Yet, the central challenge will remain whether states and stakeholders can translate pledges into concrete financial and implementation commitments—avoiding the setbacks that have hampered past environmental negotiations.
