Congress IUCN 2025

I participated in the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), 2025, and one thing that struck me right away during registration was that they calculate how much carbon my trip would generate and offset that emission with actions that protect ecosystems, in a transparent and certified way.

This congress is one of the most important meetings in the world for nature conservation. It brings together more than 10,000 people from dozens of countries, including scientists, governments, indigenous peoples, NGOs, banks, funders, and international leaders.

The congress featured more than 1,400 simultaneous sessions and events, including pavilions divided by countries such as the pavilion of Brazil, Colombia, the Emirates, and those organized by themes such as indigenous populations, youth, applied science, sustainable financing, and innovative solutions.

Given the volume of activities happening simultaneously, the organization provided an official Congress app, which allowed me to favorite the lectures I wanted to attend and also access a map to quickly find where each one was located, which was essential in such a large event space.

At the congress I:

Established new collaborations and partnerships;

Met great friends and colleagues like Dr. Fabiana Lopes Rocha, who is Head Officer of the IUCN SSC Center for Species Survival Brazil.

And personally met people with whom I exchanged professional emails, such as Dr. Steve Boyes.

Participating in the IUCN Congress was not just being at an event, it was being part of a global movement that is shaping the future of nature conservation worldwide.