In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the Government of France have decided to postpone the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2020 in Marseille to 7 to 15 January 2021.

IUCN and the Government of France remain firmly committed to driving conservation action, protecting biodiversity and promoting nature’s role in achieving sustainable development, each of which are of paramount importance for the future of our planet and all who inhabit it. However, the health and safety of participants, organisers and everyone involved in holding such an event is our top priority, leading us to this difficult but concerted decision.

A postponed Congress will in principle maintain the same elements as originally planned, including the desire to open public access to the Nature Generation Areas and Exhibition.

France and IUCN will implement all necessary provisions to guarantee the health and safety of participants according to the situation at the time of the event. Should the situation during the new dates still require additional precautionary measures in terms of the scale or format of the event to account for safety considerations, IUCN and France will make appropriate changes to protect participants while still upholding IUCN’s statutory, strategic and Membership obligations. These measures will be announced in as much advance notice as possible on the Congress website and through this newsletter.

IUCN and France are working with summit organisers to confirm new dates for all summits, with the goal for the summits to take place during the Congress. IUCN will announce new dates and any other updates regarding the summits on the Congress website and through this newsletter and IUCN social media channels.

If you already registered for the Congress, your registration will be automatically transferred to the new date.

Should you choose or not be able to participate in the Congress during the new dates, you may transfer your registration to a colleague at no cost or you may cancel your participation.
Visit this page for more information.