Highlights and images for 8 October 2025

“Young people are not mere observers – they are the drivers of action.” Across a full day, delegates at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Global Youth Summit emphasized the active role of young people in conserving and restoring nature around the globe, sharing challenges in the full realization of their potential and opportunities for real impact. 

Convening for the second time, the Global Youth Summit provided an opportunity to assess progress made since its inaugural meeting in Marseille, France, in September 2021. Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General, called on young people to seize the opportunities within IUCN and at the 2025 World Conservation Congress, highlighting specific support for Indigenous youth and for women. Summit speakers pointed to key achievements since 2021, including the elaboration and launch of the IUCN Youth Strategy 2022-2030 and the IUCN Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), which steers the Strategy’s implementation. 

Speakers in the morning’s high-level session further underscored that youth are the architects of the future, calling for strengthened intergenerational dialogue and “stubborn optimism” – an optimism that does not shy away from the truth of contemporary challenges, but rather embraces the possibility of change. 

In a panel discussion featuring youth on the frontlines of nature conservation, delegates heard from grassroot activists from Ecuador and Mozambique, as well as from members of the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP). Panelists discussed the realities that youth face on the ground when dealing with environmental issues, such as protecting a river from hydroelectric developments, and the intricacies of how IUCN values youth perspectives and encourages their participation across the Union. 

In the afternoon, six young leaders shared personal stories of courage, authenticity, and impact, showcasing turning points in their journeys to nature conservation leadership. Among others, they: encouraged delegates to be persistent in pursuing their goals in the face of adversity; highlighted capacity-building platforms and funding opportunities for young people in the Arab region; and shared the sounds of now-extinct birds that inspired their dedication to nature. 

With securing viable funding considered a critical hurdle to youth conservation efforts, delegates engaged in a fireside chat to discuss bridging the gap between youth and funders, and pinpointed credibility and trust among key issues to be resolved to secure long-term funding. They highlighted: the value of incubator, mentoring, and young fellowship programmes; building strong relationships with donors; and willingness to listen to find common ground and build bridges. 

The Summit’s final panel focused on bridging generations, through the lens of conservation leaders in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Delegates provided insight on innovative solutions to conservation problems, including a project deploying artificial intelligence (AI)-aided drones to locate endangered sea turtles and expedite rescue interventions. They further highlighted: approaches to youth empowerment; the UAE’s establishment of youth councils across government levels and sectors, including on the environment and agriculture; and educational programmes increasing young people’s social responsibility on food waste. 

YAC members then engaged participants in an interactive segment to shape the next four years of the Committee’s work, with delegates sharing priorities, hopes, and challenges.

Delegates filed out of the Summit at 5:00 pm, with many sharing that the one-day event had effectively contributed to building community ahead of the IUCN World Conservation Congress, and beyond, by providing a dedicated space to share experiences and connect across regions and generations.