Dear ,
The IUCN World Conservation Congress officially opened today in Abu Dhabi, bringing together leaders, experts, and communities from around the world to advance collective action for nature. The opening ceremony set the tone for the week, exploring how revitalising global governance can unite efforts for nature and people, while reaffirming the value of multilateralism in an increasingly polarised world.
At midday, participants delved into the heart of the Congress through five thematic plenaries addressing today’s key challenges and opportunities, from tackling climate overshoot and advancing inclusive conservation to fostering innovation, scaling impact, and turning pledges into tangible investments for a nature-positive future.
The afternoon saw the opening of the Exhibition with more than 140 exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge solutions and partnerships for conservation. In parallel, IUCN Members adopted a first round of Resolutions and Recommendations.
As the first day comes to a close, the energy in Abu Dhabi is palpable - a shared determination to turn dialogue into action and power transformative conservation for nature and people worldwide. | 
