UAE wins bid to host world’s largest gathering of environmentalists

Abu Dhabi: The UAE has won the bid to host the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi in 2025.

The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi (EAD) submitted the tender on behalf of the governments of Abu Dhabi and the UAE. The results were announced on 25 May after the IUCN’s Bid Evaluation Committee presented its recommendations to the IUCN Council at a meeting in Gland, Switzerland. The IUCN Council, chaired by the President and composed of elected members from all regions and a committee chair, is the body responsible for oversight and overall control of all IUCN matters.

The successful bid to host the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress further reaffirms the UAE and its leadership’s commitment to environmental protection, climate change action and sustainability.

Abu Dhabi continues to be at the forefront of nature conservation by building strong relationships with major international environmental organizations such as the IUCN.

The agency’s managing director, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, is the current president of IUCN. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri is a Global Councilor.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Ruler’s representative in the Al Dhafra region and EAD chairman, said: “Winning the bid to host the 2025 IUCN Congress is significant and reflects the Vision of His Highness Zayed Al Nahyan. This will be an opportunity to showcase the UAE’s leadership in the conservation and restoration of endangered species both domestically and globally.

“We will make the IUCN 2025 conference one of the most influential, effective and decisive yet. We will work with the conservation community to protect our planet and avoid the biodiversity and climate crises.”

Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, confirmed that the selection of Abu Dhabi as the host city for the 2025 IUCN World Congress is another honor for the UAE’s record-laden record, especially during the Year of Sustainable Development, The field of environment, nature and climate protection.

Almheiri said: “Since its inception, the UAE has always prioritized environmental protection and has made tremendous local and international efforts to enhance biodiversity and protect endangered species. Hosting this conference is a high priority for the UAE achievements, underscoring our global leadership in taking on greater responsibility in these areas. Our role as host of this year’s Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP28) reaffirms the UAE’s position of influence as a leading global partner to guide Working to tackle some of the most pressing challenges of our time – climate change, environmental protection and preventing the waste of natural resources.

Mohammad bin Ahmed Al Bowadi, Minister of State for Defense Affairs and EAD Vice-Chairman, said: “I am delighted that Abu Dhabi has won the bid to host the 2025 IUCN Congress. Our progress in species conservation over the past four years Decades of exemplary work in Abu Dhabi and globally, helping us improve the status of some of the most threatened species, is a testament to the commitment and support of our leadership.”

Razan Khalifa Mubarak said: “As President of IUCN, I am delighted that my country has won the bid to host the next IUCN Congress. Global biodiversity loss and climate change impacts are unprecedented environmental emergencies that require equally unprecedented responses. IUCN, with its global experts, convening power and knowledge products, plays an important role in shaping this response.”

Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri said: “Winning the bid to host the largest gathering of environmentalists, leaders and policy makers is a major milestone in Abu Dhabi and the UAE’s conservation journey. This is a huge win for the UAE and I We would like to thank the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Department of Climate Change and Environment, Abu Dhabi Administrative Office, Abu Dhabi Department of Culture and Tourism, and Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center for their cooperation and support throughout the bidding process. From more than 20 Abu Dhabi governments The support and cooperation of entities, as well as the hotel and airline industry, was the key to our winning bid”

Saleh Mohammed Algeziry, Director General of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, said: “As a valued partner in this bidding process, we are satisfied with the outcome. We will work with EAD and other partners to ensure its successful organization. The Congress will further enhance Abu Dhaka than its growing reputation as the region’s leading tourism and business destination.”

IUCN is a membership organization made up of governments and civil society organisations. It draws on the experience, resources and reach of more than 1,400 member organizations and the input of more than 18,000 experts. This diversity and broad expertise make IUCN the global authority on the state of the natural world and what is needed to protect it. The body is a democratic coalition that brings together the world’s most influential organizations and leading experts to work together to protect nature and accelerate the transition to sustainable development.

The World Conservation Congress of the IUCN is held every four years and is the highest body of the IUCN. During the conference, representatives of officially recognized IUCN members are regularly sent. One of the main functions of the General Assembly is the election of the President, Treasurer, Regional Councilors and Committee Chairs, who will form the IUCN Council.

The institution’s relationship with IUCN began in 2000 as an IUCN Framework Partner. In addition, EAD supports the work of its Species Survival Committee and has chaired the Reintroduction Expert Group for over 15 years. In 2013, EAD became a full member of IUCN and continues to contribute and support IUCN’s largest committee: the Commission on Species Survival.

The UAE has full IUCN membership. Its national member is the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), and its NGO members are the Mohamed bin Zayed Conservation Fund, Emirates Environment Group and Emirates Nature. The Dubai Desert Conservation Center (DDCR), the International Houbara Conservation Foundation (IFHC) and EAD are all government members. All these members form the National Committee of the UAE Union for Conservation of Nature.

The IUCN WCC bidding process was rigorous, spanning nearly a year and divided into three phases, including site visits by an international evaluation team to assess infrastructure, transport, government support and other services. The bid submission process, which was earlier approved by the Abu Dhabi government, is also included in the 24 national initiatives approved by the UAE Cabinet.

Winning the bid to host such a major global event is a culmination of the efforts of EAD’s partners and supporting entities, and a testament to the world-class facilities and infrastructure that Abu Dhabi provides for such a major global event. IUCN WCC 2025 will be held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC) in October 2025.

The IUCN General Assembly, where IUCN members vote on resolutions to set the global conservation agenda and guide the work of the secretariat through resolutions and IUCN programs. The last congress was held in Marseille, France in September 2021.

With some 10,000-15,000 delegates from more than 160 countries around the world expected to attend the IUCN WCC in Abu Dhabi in 2025, it will be an event that can inspire conservation action on local and global challenges to safeguard our planet.

Founded in 1948, IUCN has grown to become the largest and most diverse environmental network in the world. Today, the organization is known for its knowledge products, such as the Red List of Species, Red List of Ecosystems, Key Biodiversity Areas and Green List, which are widely used to identify threatened species, conservation priorities for ecosystems and identify important areas Protect.