Ref: 2025/PR/307
9 October 2025
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Abdulla Khaleel participated at the opening ceremony of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress 2025 held today in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
At the opening ceremony, dignitaries including the President of Palau, Surangel Whipps Jr, Minister of Climate Change and Environment of UAE, Dr. Amina bint Abdullah Al-Dahhak, Minister of Environment of Panama, Juan Carlos Navarro, and IUCN President, Razan Al Mubarak delivered remarks. The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, also participated in the opening ceremony.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, comprising over 1,400 member organisations and 17,000 experts. The Maldives became a state member of the IUCN in 2022.
The IUCN World Conservation Congress will bring together governments, civil society organisations, indigenous peoples, and experts to advance global conservation efforts and address pressing global challenges, from climate change and biodiversity loss to socio-economic instability. The Congress focuses on five themes: scaling up resilient conservation, reducing climate overshoot risks, delivering equity in environmental action, transitioning to nature-positive economies, and promoting disruptive innovation and leadership for conservation.
ENDS