Attending the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi
We understand and respect the concerns raised about the location of this year’s IUCN World Conservation Congress. Like many others, we have wrestled with the decision to attend, and we share the disappointment that the event is being held in a country with a significant oil-producing economy and a human rights record that rightly invites scrutiny.
However, after careful consideration, we have chosen to attend. Our presence at the Congress is not an endorsement of the host country’s policies, but a commitment to the global conservation movement. The Congress is one of the most important gatherings of conservation organisations, scientists, Indigenous leaders, and policymakers. It offers a rare and valuable opportunity to collaborate, share knowledge, and influence the direction of international conservation efforts.
For World Land Trust (WLT), this is also a chance to meet face-to-face with at least 20 of our conservation partner organisations from around the world, as well as meet other international organisations that WLT works and collaborates with. These meetings are vital for strengthening relationships, aligning strategies, and advancing the work we do together to protect threatened habitats and support local communities. Meeting these partners who are already travelling to this same meeting also allows WLT to reduce our own need to visit these partners in their home countries and reduce our consequent carbon footprint.
We believe that meaningful change happens through dialogue, collaboration, and presence. By attending, we aim to be part of the conversations that shape conservation policy and practice, especially in regions where change is most needed.
