IUCN Congress - Daily Highlights

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As we entered Members Assembly, the adoption of a new 20-year Strategic Vision for IUCN and the IUCN Programme 2026 - 2029 marked a pivotal moment in defining the Union’s path for the decades ahead. The Union’s highest decision-making body also voted on key motions that will become IUCN Resolutions and Recommendations, shaping the global conservation agenda.

Beyond the Assembly floor, a wave of inspiring initiatives took the spotlight. The upcoming GEF CSO Challenge Programme will provide grants of up to USD 300,000 to support civil society-led environmental action. The WALD Innovation Facility, implemented with BMZ and KfW, announced six flagship projects that scale up nature-positive solutions linking carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, and community well-being.

In parallel, the Arcadia Grant marked a milestone for open access to conservation knowledge, with over 1,500 historical IUCN publications digitised and made freely available online, reinforcing IUCN’s commitment to knowledge sharing and transparency. The day also celebrated technological innovation with the announcement of the inaugural Tech4Nature Awards, honouring outstanding solutions that are making a measurable difference for biodiversity, ecosystems, and communities worldwide.

Adding to these milestones, IUCN launched new STAR metric guidance to support governments and civil society in accelerating nature-positive action and delivering on global biodiversity goals.

IUCN MEMBERS ADOPT 20-YEAR VISION AND FOUR-YEAR PROGRAMME FOR THE UNION

IUCN Members have voted to adopt a new 20-year Strategic Vision and four-year Programme. Unite for Nature on the path to 2045: A 20-year Strategic Vision for the Union sets out IUCN’s vision for “a just world that values and conserves nature”, while Nature 2030: One nature, one future. The IUCN Programme 2026-2029 defines the implementation plan. Click here to watch the video!

THE WALD INNOVATION FACILITY: SCALING AND ACCELERATING NATURE-POSITIVE SOLUTIONS FOR CLIMATE, BIODIVERSITY AND LIVELIHOODS

The WALD Innovation Facility is a grant-making initiative managed by the IUCN and financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) via the German Development Bank (KfW). The Facility has selected six flagship projects that demonstrated promising scalable, high-integrity approaches that combine carbon sequestration with biodiversity conservation and local livelihood benefits.

NEW GEF PROGRAMME SET TO DELIVER GRANTS UP TO USD 300,000 FOR CIVIL SOCIETY-LED ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION

At the IUCN Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, IUCN and the Global Environment Facility (GEF) co-hosted a pre-launch event to raise awareness of the upcoming GEF Civil Society Organisation (CSO) Challenge Program. The soon-to-be-launched initiative will offer grants of up to USD 300,000 to selected CSOs with proven environmental solutions that are ready for growth, replication and scaling.

ARCADIA GRANT IMPROVES OPEN ACCESS TO CONSERVATION KNOWLEDGE BY STRENGTHENING THE IUCN LIBRARY

Over 1,500 historical IUCN publications are now available online, following a three-year grant from Arcadia. The project has enabled the creation of IUCN’s Open Access Policy and upgrades to the IUCN Library, cementing the Union’s commitment to open access conservation knowledge.

NEW STAR GUIDANCE SUPPORTS GOVERNMENTS AND CIVIL SOCIETY IN ACCELERATING NATURE-POSITIVE ACTION

Today at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, IUCN launched two new STAR metric resources to support the delivery of global biodiversity goals, supporting governments and civil society organisations in accelerating Nature-Positive action across sectors.

Photos of the day

Members unite as one decision-making body at the IUCN Members' Assembly, ready to shape the future of global conservation and sustainable development policy.

On the final day of the Exhibition, networking spaces were filled with attendees taking advantage of opportunities to exchange with conservationists from around the world.

Participants soak up the last of the sessions before heading home with new knowledge, energy, and connections.

Video highlights of the day

Congress in the media

Daily Congress coverage from IISD Reporting Services

Eager to read and see more? Check IISD Reporting Services' comprehensive daily coverage.

Greetings from Congress

What’s happening tomorrow?
Here’s what not to miss!

08:30 - 12:30 5th Sitting of the Members’ Assembly – Vote on Motions (Hall 5 -6: Members Assembly, Hybrid)

14:00 - 18:15 6th Sitting of the Members’ Assembly – Adoption of Commission Mandates + Vote on Motions (Hall 5 -6: Members Assembly, Hybrid)

19:30 - 21:00 7th Sitting of the Members’ Assembly – Awards Ceremony (Hall 5 -6: Members Assembly, Hybrid)

In case you missed it: Congress Daily Highlights

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Photo credits:

IUCN Members adopt 20-year Vision and four-year Programme for the Union - Abhi Indrarajan

New GEF Programme Set to Deliver Grants Up to USD 300,000 for Civil Society-led Environmental Action - Tim Gander

The Wald Innovation Facility: Scaling and Accelerating Nature-positive Solutions for Climate, Biodiversity and Livelihoods - daniesser

Arcadia Grant Improves Open Access to Conservation Knowledge by Strengthening the IUCN Library - Tomas Malik

New Star Guidance Supports Governments and Civil Society in Accelerating Nature-positive Action - JJ Harrison

Large photo of day – Andrew McConnell

Medium photo of the day (left) – Tim Gander

Medium photo of the (right) – Andrew McConnell

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