The IUCN Congress will take place from 3 to 11 September 2021 in Marseille, France, in a “hybrid” format with the option of remote participation for some parts of the event. The forum is a hub of public debate, bringing together people from around the world to discuss and develop solutions to the world’s most pressing conservation and sustainability challenges. It will demonstrate innovative, scalable solutions to addressing critical challenges at the local and global levels, highlighting efforts of stakeholders from all sectors across the globe – from small island states to entire regions, and from individual to collective actions. The Forum will include a range of events from High-Level Dialogues, to training and capacity building sessions, as well as exhibition and social events.
The IUCN Congress will bring together governments, civil society, indigenous peoples, scientists and business to drive action on today’s most pressing environmental and sustainability challenges, including the biodiversity and climate crises and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a key milestone before pivotal UN conferences on biodiversity and climate in Kunming and Glasgow, the IUCN Congress will inform new global targets and action towards a sustainable, healthy future for people and nature.
This inclusive event, which will offer both in-person and virtual participation, is organised into four main parts:
- The Forum, a marketplace of new conservation ideas, research and policy: 4-7 September 2021
During the Forum major announcements from IUCN and its Members are expected, including an update of the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
- IUCN Members’ Assembly – the world’s largest democratic environmental decision-making platform: 8-10 September 2021
IUCN’s more than 1,400 Member organisations will take decisions that are expected to influence global conservation policy for the coming decade.
- The Exhibition – where IUCN Members and Commissions, businesses, partners and academia host stands and events to showcase their research and innovations: 4-9 September 202
- Espaces Generations Nature – engaging the general public in conservation: 4-11 September 2021
On 3 September, ahead of the official Congress opening, a number of independent summits will take place in connection with the event:
- CEO Summit
- Indigenous Peoples’ Summit
- Local Action Summit
- Global Youth Summit: outcomes and looking to the future
