Daily report for 13 October 2025

Having held a first sitting on Thursday, 9 October, Members of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) met for a second, third, and fourth sitting of the Assembly on the fifth day of the World Conservation Congress. Among others, they considered the reports from the Director General, the President and the Commission Chairs, and discussed the draft 20-year Strategic Vision. Members also began deliberating on motions, noting that over 97 motions have already been decided electronically, with more than 40 remaining for consideration by the Assembly.

Second Sitting

The Members’ Assembly resumed on Monday, 13 October for its Second Sitting. IUCN President Razan Al Mubarak welcomed and thanked members for their cooperation and determination to move forward the motions process. Ayman Rabi (Palestine), Chair of the Credentials Committee, explained voting and speaking rights, providing an update on the number of accredited members.

Luc de Wever, IUCN Secretariat, announced the Steering Committee’s decisions on two appeals of new and urgent motions, one on war-impacted ecosystems (which was admitted) and one on the conservation of chimpanzees (which was rejected on formal grounds).

Director General’s Report: IUCN Director General Grethel Aguilar presented her report (CGR-2025-2.3-1, Annex 1), divided into three content areas: delivering the IUCN Programme 2021-2025; a unique Union; and looking to the future.

On past activities, she highlighted that the IUCN Programme 2021-2025 sought to mobilize the entire Union and for the first time included a 10-year ambition timeframe (Nature 2030). Noting that Nature 2030 is defined by five overarching areas of work (people, land, water, oceans, and climate), she lauded tangible achievements such as IUCN’s involvement in the advisory opinions of international courts and the Union’s efforts in rallying support for the ratification of the High Seas Treaty.

On funding, she noted that IUCN holds the biggest Global Environmental Facility (GEF) portfolio, which enables re-granting to Members and Indigenous Peoples. She underscored that IUCN’s projects, while not growing in quantity, are growing in size and depth.

Looking forward, IUCN Director General Aguilar highlighted the need to reflect on artificial intelligence and social media, given the heightened role of IUCN as a platform for communication and knowledge generation.

In response to questions from Members from Pakistan and Peru on the trade-offs between scaling up existing projects versus starting new ones, IUCN Director General Aguilar noted the suggested focus on large projects was not a formal policy and reiterated the Union’s continued role in fostering impact on the ground, including through re-granting to local Members.

Report of the Council: IUCN President Al Mubarak presented the Report (CGR-2025-2.4-1), noting the Council’s crucial role as the principal governance body of the Union. Among others, she welcomed the Union’s increased project portfolio and involvement in multilateral environmental agreements and international advisory proceedings and highlighted the admission of 287 new members.

A Member from the Netherlands presented a proposal on behalf of a consultative group of non-governmental organization Members to enhance the transparency of the Council by making Council documents available before Council meetings, publishing the minutes of Council meetings swiftly, and broadcasting Council meetings.

In response to questions from Members from Tunisia and Venezuela about the admission of new Members, Director General Aguilar: reiterated the need to grow the number of Indigenous Peoples organization members and subnational members; asked national and regional committees to submit reports on developments on the ground; and said that many members who had left during the Covid-19 pandemic have since returned.

Hasna Jasimuddin Moudud (Bangladesh), IUCN Council, thanked the outgoing Council for the collaborative spirit, noting that “this is the Arab Spring of conservation.” She expressed hope that IUCN would play a role in rebuilding ecosystems in Gaza.

Draft 20-Year Strategic Vision for the Union: IUCN President Al Mubarak introduced the draft Strategic Vision document (CGR-2025-2.5-1-Rev1 Annex 1) and noted that the Steering Committee received over 1000 comments from the contact groups, most of which have been addressed in the updated draft. Recalling IUCN’s role in shaping the global conservation agenda over the past 75 years, she underscored how the fast-changing pace of the world compounds challenges that increasingly pressure the planet and people.

Responding to a comment from the WORLD WIDE FUND FOR NATURE, Switzerland, Hilde Eggermont, IUCN Vice-President, noted the formulation of IUCN as “the” trusted voice in conservation reflects internal aspiration and long-term language. She affirmed CANADA’s request to align language on the role of agriculture as a driver of biodiversity loss with that of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), in addition to changing crimes “against the environment” to crimes “that affect the environment.” On SOUTH AFRICA’s suggestion to consider a future mid-term review and impact evaluation of the Strategic Vision, Peter Cochrane, IUCN Vice-President, underlined the draft Strategic Vision being a living document to be implemented and thereby reviewed through the processes of the IUCN four-year work programme. Responding to an Indigenous organization Member from Peru, Eggermont reaffirmed the distinct nature of Indigenous knowledges in the Strategic Vision.

IORA ECOLOGICAL SOLUTIONS, India, said that the Strategic Vision presents an opportunity for nature to be included as an investable asset, which can help in mainstreaming nature into policy and global finance.

Denmark, on behalf of the EU, lauded IUCN’s ability to convene global platforms for solutions, innovative ideas, and scientifically robust methods. Noting that priorities in the EU biodiversity strategy are also reflected in IUCN programs and the 20-year Strategic Vision, she looked forward to IUCN further strengthening its activities in Europe toward transformative change.

A Member from Mali highlighted that internal displacement should be included in the Strategic Vision, as this greatly pressures biodiversity. CENTRO MEXICANO DE DERECHO AMBIENTAL, Mexico, called for the inclusion of a section on environmental defenders. RESERVA, US, welcomed the opportunity for youth to constructively participate in policy actions for the conservation of nature. UNNAYAN, Bangladesh, stressed the need for more clear and measurable indicators to properly assess relevant milestones for IUCN’s work. EXPLORALIS, Tunisia, noted the need for human-centric perspectives in the implementation of the Strategic Vision.

GERMANY clarified language on balancing science and technology with inclusion of potential risks.

IUCN PALESTINE, mirrored in remarks by PRESERVE PLANET, Costa Rica, drew attention to the “genocide” and “ecocide” in Gaza, and supported the integration of ecocide into international law. VOICE OF PEOPLE, Pakistan, lamented the shortfall in climate finance available to developing countries.

Report of the Election Officer: Romiro Batzin Chojoj (Guatemala), IUCN Vice-President, introduced this issue. David Forman, Election Officer, and Claudia de Windt, Deputy Election Officer, presented their report (CGR-2025-2.2-1 Annex 1) and opened elections for regional Councilors, Indigenous Councilor, President, Treasurer, and Commission Chairs.

In response to a comment from ANTARCTIC AND SOUTHERN OCEAN COALITION, speaking also on behalf of the NATIONAL WHISTLEBLOWER CENTER and EARTH LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL, US, Deputy Election Officer de Windt highlighted a meeting held with candidates for regional Councilors the day before as an opportunity for regional Members to meet and engage the candidates, while stressing that such meetings should be planned ahead of time in the future.

In the evening, Luc De Wever, IUCN Council Secretary, announced that online voting for eligible Councilors was open for 24 hours, and urged Members to cast their ballots on time.

Presidential Candidate’s Presentation: In her presentation, the sole candidate for the Presidency, Razan Al Mubarak, recalled that her term as IUCN President had started during a pandemic and ended amidst wars and a crisis of multilateralism. She outlined the priorities for her mandate, if re-elected.

Report of the Resolutions Committee and Vote on Motions: Jon Paul Rodríguez (Venezuela), Chair of the Species Survival Commission (SSC), noted that contact group sessions to consider 40 motions started on Friday, 10 October, and drew attention to the online platform denoting motions ready for voting. 

Simon Stuart, Governance Committee, introduced the new and urgent motion on Confirming the Status of the Climate Crisis Commission. VOICE OF PEOPLE, Pakistan, proposed changing the name of the new Climate Crisis Commission to “Climate Action Commission.”

SOUTH AFRICA requested clarification on the mandate of the Commission and its distinction from the working groups under the UNFCCC to avoid duplication of work.

FRANCE requested updating the modalities of contact groups. An Indigenous Member organization expressed concern over merging the terms Indigenous Peoples and local communities, while Chair Rodríguez clarified that this language was maintained for consistency with text discussed during contact group discussions.

Third Sitting

Members first considered an amendment to motion 121 (confirming the status of the Climate Crisis Commission), discussing whether to change the title of the Commission to Climate Action Commission. VOICE OF PEOPLE, Pakistan, supported by a Member from Tunisia, proposed this amendment, explaining that the name of the Commission should reflect its mandate. WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY underlined that the motion had reached consensus and at no time did any Member of the contact group suggest changing the name of the Commission. In a vote, the amendment to change the Commission’s title was approved.

On motion 61 (recognizing the crime of ecocide to protect nature), a Bangladeshi Member called for an amendment to recognize the crime of ecocide in Gaza.

• On motion 85 (amplifying the role of businesses in achieving a nature positive world), CANADA suggested aligning text related to all development adhering to the “mitigation hierarchy” throughout the text.
• Delegates approved:
• motion 1 (improving tree planting practices – Planting the right tree in the right place for the right purpose);
• motion 8 (conservation and sustainable management of rangelands and pastoralism);
• motion 11 (delivering harmonized accountability and means of implementation for international forest protection goals);
• motion 14 (promoting hedgerows in agriculture to foster biodiversity, strengthen ecosystem resilience and mitigate climate change);
• motion 67 (living in harmony with rivers through the rights of nature and ecocentric law);
• motion 81 (supporting the economy transformation towards a regenerative economy);
• motion 97 (mainstreaming mentorship for young ecological stewards to enhance conservation efforts);
• motion 108 (development of IUCN guidelines to effectively control the commercial pet trade in terrestrial wildlife);
• motion 121 (confirming the status of the Climate Action Commission);
• motion 128 (strengthening human-nature connectedness to advance transformative change for nature);
• motion 137 (advancing biodiversity [and geodiversity] finance with a human-rights-based approach); and
• motion 138 (recognizing unequivocally and effectively supporting the crucial conservation role of territories of life and their custodians).

Presentation, Discussion, and Adoption of the Draft IUCN Programme 2026–2029: IUCN Director General Grethel Aguilar introduced the draft IUCN Programme 2026-2029 (CGR-2025-3.1-1 Annex 1). She commended the document, noting it will frame how the Union will scale biodiversity conservation. Madhu Rao, Chair, Programme and Policy Committee, explained the revised document incorporated amendments from the contact group.

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY praised the consultative, transparent, and collaborative process that informed the final document. Responding to an Indian Member’s query about the role of resource efficiency and circularity in the Programme, Stewart Maginnis, IUCN Deputy Director General, pointed to circularity as one of the document’s 24 high ambition outputs. SWEDEN requested clarification on the deletion of the glossary, which Maginnis said will be developed in consultation with Members. IUCN President Al Mubarak then opened the voting window for Members to approve the Programme.

IUCN Commissions’ Reports, Including Awards: Chair Kristen Walker Painemilla presented the Commission on Environment, Economics and Social Policy (CEESP) Report 2021-2025. On governance, equity, and rights, she noted work on rights-based approaches under the GBF. She highlighted the ocean defender initiative and pointed to the Commission’s engagement in promoting direct access financing and gender-responsive climate policy. She launched the Commission’s Policy Matters Reimagine Conservation report, and highlighted its call to reimagine conservation action, leadership and justice, money and power, and relationships.

Chair Sean Southey, presented the Commission on Education and Communication (CEC) report (CGR-2025-3.2-1 Annex 2). He recognized the winners of the CEC Regional Awards and the CEC Chairs Awards. He focused on the work of the CEC to promote nature for all, to reimagine nature communications, and stressed the importance of nature-based education.

Fourth Sitting

Chris Mahon, Chair, Global Group for National and Regional Committee Development, introduced the findings of the Global Meeting. Ann-Katrine Garn, Group Secretary, highlighted the challenges faced by the National and Regional Committees, including those related to funding, human resources, communication, civic spaces, training, and access to information. Mahon pointed to the Engage Platform as a core communications tool for Members. He underlined that there is a need for better communication among Members and for increased resources, including time, to achieve the expectations identified in the 20-year Strategic Vision. Garn noted that the Group would circulate a report on these findings. The Assembly took note of the report.

Reports from the Summits: Members heard reports from the Youth Summit Sarai Gomez, IUCN Youth Coordinator, Shamma Alkhoori and Maitha Al Mheiri, IUCN Youth Advisory Committee, UAE.

Anita Tzec, Senior Programme Manager, Indigenous Peoples and Conservation, IUCN and Verónica Ruiz, Senior Manager, Climate, Nature, and People, IUCN, reported on the results of the Congress’s first Indigenous Peoples Summit.

Faridah Ibrahim, Head of Business Engagement Unit, IUCN, reported from the Business Summit. A Member from NIGERIA called for an action plan to ensure that the outcomes of these summits are passed down to the national and local levels.

Resolutions Committee Progress Report and Discussion and Vote on Motions: SSC Chair Rodríguez noted that contact groups were still ongoing on several motions. Voting was then opened on motions: 35 (protection of mesopelagic ecosystem integrity); 56 (advancing an ethical human-ocean relationship); 105 (recognize and support community stewardship of natural resources through dedicated funding); 136 (addressing the direct exploitation of wild species); and 147 (protecting ecosystems and riverine communities from the impacts of hydropower in the Lower Congo and globally). The results will be announced during the Assembly’s fifth sitting on Tuesday, 14 October.

Noting that the contact group was closed, SSC Chair Rodríguez called on Members to submit amendments in writing, noting plenary discussions under motion 94 (recognizing the importance of Indigenous and local languages, knowledge and cultural heritage in biodiversity conservation).