Elevating Ecological Connectivity Conservation for the IUCN World Conservation Congress and Beyond
9-15 October 2025
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress (WCC) is the world’s largest and most democratic recurring conference for environmentally sustainable development. Meeting every four years, the WCC brings together IUCN’s 1,400+ government, civil society, and Indigenous peoples members, as well as experts, leaders, and decision-makers from around the world.
The 2025 WCC in Abu Dhabi will highlight ongoing implementation, set priorities, and drive further action to confront mounting threats to the health and vitality of all life on Earth. The Center for Large Landscape Conservation (CLLC) will participate as an official Non-governmental Member of IUCN as it continues to increase its leadership across the Union, at WCCs, and across the field of international conservation. Learn more about our role in IUCN.
The WCC is pivotal in shaping global conservation and sustainable development for decades. Outcomes will strengthen commitments and drive the next four years of action toward halting biodiversity loss by 2050 under the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The Center will be active at WCC in myriad ways:
Capacity building and sharing
Through panels, presentations, discussions and workshops we’ll spotlight global connectivity conservation successes, challenges, and lessons learned.
Policy
CLLC has contributed to policy resolutions, a 20-year strategic vision, and a World Commission on Protected Areas mandate to prioritize ecological corridors and combat habitat fragmentation. At the Members’ Assembly, these policies will be refined and adopted.
Events:
CLLC and partners are organizing several events in Abu Dhabi:
OFFICIAL FORUM EVENTS
- “Transboundary Conservation Around the World: Ecologically and Culturally Well-connected Landscapes and Seascapes” 10 October from 16:00-17:30
- “Increasing Coordination of Conservation Activities Across Central Asia to Meet National and Global Goals”. 11 October from 11:00 – 12:30
AMERICA PAVILION
- Recognizing and Reporting Ecological Corridors and Networks: Experiences and Innovations From Around the World October 12th from 12:00 – 12:45
ASIA PAVILION
- Wildlife Friendly Infrastructure: Safeguarding Whole Ecosystems Amidst Rapid Development 13 October from 14:00-14:45
LEARNING ZONE PAVILION
- “Resources for Scaling Up Ecological Connectivity” 9 October from 18:00-18:40.
YOUTH PAVILION
- Pathways to Conservation Careers: Experiences from Across IUCN Member Organizations 13 October from 15:00-15:40pm
Banner photo: Neem Island, Abu Dhabi – Adobe Stock
