IUCN Congress 2025 Adopts Bold Motions to Reshape Global Conservation
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has concluded its World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, adopting a series of groundbreaking motions that will shape global conservation efforts. The Congress, attended by governments, civil society, Indigenous Peoples' Organisations, scientists, and youth, saw the adoption of 144 motions that will guide international conservation action.
Among the adopted motions, several stand out for their impact on climate change policy and environmental justice. Motion 042 urges IUCN to support measures tackling fossil fuel supply and promoting a just energy transition. Meanwhile, Motion 041 calls for the development of an IUCN policy on geoengineering, considering its potential impacts on biodiversity and human health.
Motion 094 emphasises the importance of Indigenous languages and traditional knowledge in environmental conservation. It aligns with Motion 107, which calls for wider recognition of sacred sites, landscapes, and elements within IUCN protected area categories, ensuring continued Indigenous stewardship.
Motion 061 recognises ecocide as an international crime. It tasks IUCN's World Commission on Environmental Law to study criminalising ecocide, a move already adopted by several nations including France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
The outcomes of the IUCN Congress will serve as a foundation for more inclusive and effective global action for people and nature at upcoming UN Climate Change and CITES Conferences. The adopted motions, including those shaping climate change policy, promoting environmental justice, and strengthening Indigenous stewardship, reflect a commitment to a more sustainable and equitable future.
