The IUCN World Conservation Congress will take place 9–15 October 2025 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Held every four years, the Congress is the largest global gathering of conservation actors – from governments, NGOs, Indigenous peoples, private sector, scientists and civil society – aimed at setting the global nature agenda and driving bold, systemic change. Under the theme “Powering transformative conservation”, the IUCN Congress 2025 will tackle five critical themes, each driving the bold, transformative change needed to secure a sustainable future for both nature and humanity:
Scaling up resilient conservation action
Reducing climate-overshoot risks
Delivering on equity
Transitioning to nature-positive economies and societies
Disruptive innovation and leadership for conservation
For the Ocean & Climate Platform, now a member of the IUCN, this Congress offers a strategic opportunity to amplify ocean-based action and engage with a high-level international audience working at the intersection of biodiversity, climate and sustainable development. In particular, the OCP will carry forward the conclusions of its mandate to mobilise civil society for the 3rd UN Ocean Conference — including ‘An Ocean of Possibilities’ and ‘Let’s Be Nice to the Ocean’ — building bridges from Nice to Abu Dhabi, and ensuring these initiatives continue to inform global conservation dialogues. In addition, the OCP will champion the Ocean Breakthroughs. Indeed, the Congress in Abu Dhabi serves as a key milestone on the road to COP30. It provides an opportunity to connect its work of advocacy with the broader global conservation agenda and to ensure that the ocean remains central to discussions on transformative action to deliver for climate, people and nature.
OCTOBER 9th
COP30 Ocean Action Agenda – Moving from Ambition to Action – The One Ocean Partnership
14:00 – 15:00 | IUCN Programme 2026-2029 Pavilion – R2 , Onsite
The COP30 Presidency has called for a Global Mutirão to move from negotiation to impact. This session will discuss strategic pathways on how to leverage Global South Leadership in operationalising the Ocean Breakthroughs to accelerate global transformative impact while unlocking the potential of local leadership by supporting the establishment of a global network of regenerative seascapes. It will discuss lessons learned from the Great Blue Wall initiative, Ocean Breakthroughs partner led action and will explore how the One Ocean Partnership could play a strategic role in creating a global multi-stakeholders ocean regeneration movement. Learn more
Advancing the Marine Conservation Breakthroughs: Connecting Global Action to Scale Nature-Based Solutions
3.30 – 5.00 PM (GMT+4) | #ForCoral Pavilion
This session will unite the Coral Reef Breakthrough, Mangrove Breakthrough, Seagrass Breakthrough, and Saltmarsh Breakthrough, to showcase how coastal and marine ecosystems can drive progress on both global biodiversity and climate goals. These Breakthroughs harness the power of Nature-Based Solutions to address biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and mitigation, making them key to accelerating the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the Paris Agreement. Learn more
OCTOBER 10th
Walking the Nice Talk: Moving from Commitments to Action
12.00 – 1.00 PM (GMT+4) | Pavillon France
2025 marks a decisive turning point for the ocean. The 3rd UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) provided a unique platform for advancing ocean protection. Political leaders, private sector representatives, and civil society actors came together to make numerous pledges and announcements — known as the Nice Commitments. This high-level event will bring together political leaders, private sector representatives, and civil society actors to take stock of the progress achieved since Nice, define priorities, and co-develop strategies to translate these commitments into tangible results. Together, participants will demonstrate how collaboration and collective intelligence can deliver lasting impact, highlighting the essential role each plays in securing a healthy and resilient ocean. Learn more
OCTOBER 11th
From Commitments to Change: Driving Transformative Action for the Ocean
9:00-10:30 | Hall 3: Forum Plenary
The ocean and coastal ecosystems face unprecedented pressure from climate change, overfishing, pollution, and biodiversity loss—placing communities and nations at risk. Yet the ocean offers powerful solutions to global crises. Building on the momentum of UNOC3 and the Ocean Breakthroughs framework, this high-level session will spotlight the urgent shift from ambition to action through inclusive governance, ecosystem conservation, and a regenerative blue economy. It will highlight Global South leadership while fostering equitable North–South partnerships. The session will take stock of progress since the 2021 Marseille Manifesto, including the Great Blue Wall initiative, and present the One Ocean Partnership as a bold response to scale transformative solutions. Crucially, it will emphasize the High Seas/BBNJ Agreement, the newest global ocean governance framework, and explore the One Ocean Finance Facility as a mechanism to mobilize investment at scale. Together, governments, Indigenous Peoples, civil society, science, and business can secure a thriving, well-governed ocean. Learn more
OCTOBER 12th
Supporting Nature and Biodiversity in the COP30 Global Climate Action Agenda
11:00-12:30 | Conference Hall B: Session Room 8
The first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement clearly underscored the urgency of halting and reversing nature loss in advancing global climate action. Nature-based solutions (NbS) offer one-third of the mitigation potential required to meet 2030 climate goals while strengthening adaptation and resilience. The COP30 Action Agenda aims to advance the implementation of scalable, inclusive, and high-impact solutions across forests, oceans, and biodiversity systems through a dedicated axis, key objectives and activation groups, which will be presented at this session. Inputs will be sought from participants to identify successful models and financing mechanisms for forest conservation, marine restoration, and biodiversity protection, and on Indigenously-led and locally anchored approaches, which can contribute to the COP30’s ‘Granary of Solutions’ in this important area. Learn more