IUCN World Congress, abu dhabi, 2025

The meeting brought together Indigenous leaders, conservation experts, policymakers, and international organizations to discuss the growing role of Indigenous Peoples in biodiversity conservation, climate action, reconciliation, and global environmental governance. Across the sessions, participants emphasized that Indigenous Peoples are not merely stakeholders but rights holders, knowledge holders, and leaders whose governance systems, traditional knowledge, and stewardship practices are essential for addressing the interconnected crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. Discussions highlighted the importance of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), Indigenous and Traditional Territories (ITTs), and community-led conservation models in strengthening ecological integrity while preserving cultural identity, land rights, and intergenerational knowledge systems.

Conversations explored co-stewardship, truth and reconciliation, decolonizing conservation, and ensuring Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) in all conservation and development initiatives. Speakers highlighted the importance of direct financing for Indigenous-led initiatives, stronger representation in global decision-making processes such as the UNFCCC and CBD, and recognition of Indigenous governance structures in spatial planning and biodiversity frameworks. The discussions also emphasized the central role of women and youth, the protection of Indigenous languages and cultural heritage, and the value of integrating traditional knowledge with science, technology, and policy innovation.

The congress further showcased successful Indigenous-led initiatives and partnerships, including the PODONG Indigenous Peoples Initiative, community land security programmes, and local conservation efforts across Africa, Latin America, the Pacific, and other regions. Participants called for stronger collaboration among governments, donors, conservation institutions, and Indigenous communities to ensure that global commitments translate into meaningful local outcomes. Overall, the sessions reinforced that achieving sustainable conservation, climate resilience, and social justice requires recognizing Indigenous Peoples as equal partners and supporting their leadership, self-determination, and stewardship of lands, waters, seas, and natural resources.