World Heritage at the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress
This page provides an overview of World Heritage - related events taking place at the IUCN World Conservation Congress (8-15 October 2025, Abu Dhabi). Information will be updated as it becomes available. All times are local time (United Arab Emirates). Highlights include the launch of the 4th IUCN World Heritage Outlook.
For more information about IUCN's work on World Heritage and how you can support please click here and here.
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Business leadership in protecting World Heritage sites: the ‘no-go’ commitment
9 October – 14:00-15:00
IUCN Business Pavilion – Onsite only
Event participants will explore the UNESCO World Heritage ‘no-go’ commitment and global standards for corporate sustainability, discuss opportunities and challenges in developing and implementing corporate policies to protect World Heritage sites, and learn about business practices in support of biodiversity conservation and the implementation of multilateral environmental agreements.
How can the Green List support World Heritage conservation?
9 October – 18:00-19:00
IUCN Green List Pavilion – Onsite only
Discover how the IUCN Green List Standard can strengthen the protection and management of World Heritage sites. Join the event to hear success stories, share experiences, and learn more about how IUCN has aligned this global standard and the IUCN World Heritage Outlook. An overview of existing examples of how the Green List supports World Heritage is available here.
Demonstrating the untapped potential of the World Heritage Outlook website
10 October – 10:00-11:00
Learning Zone Pavilion – Onsite only
The session will showcase how to use the IUCN World Heritage Outlook website, and how to find the latest results of the 2025 Conservation Outlook Assessments for all natural World Heritage sites. Here you can learn, ask questions, share ideas and network in an informal setting.
Regional Partnerships Powering 30x30: Advancing Protected, Conserved, and Heritage Areas through Collaborative Platforms like APAP
10 October – 11:00-12:00
IUCN Asia Pavilion – Onsite only
Learn how regional and sub-regional platforms like APAP (Asia Protected Areas Partnership) and CBD TSC Centres support KM-GBF Target 3 through policy alignment, peer learning, equity, and innovation—showcasing practical solutions for effective, inclusive, and locally grounded conservation.
Protecting our natural World Heritage: a collective effort
10 October – 17:00-18:00
IUCN Americas Pavilion – Onsite only
Join us to discover the latest IUCN assessment of the 60 natural World Heritage sites in the Americas, including Nahanni, Pantanal and Los Glaciares; learn from world-class management practices; and help think through how we can scale up partnerships to protect our most exceptional protected areas!
Why does Animal Culture matter for Conservation?
11 October – 14:00-15:30
Virtual Channel 1 - online only
Learn about culture across species, from bird and whale song, to ungulate migration and tool-use in primates, and IUCN’s related upcoming activities. Explore from diverse perspectives how animal culture can influence foraging, migration and communication and provide new ideas for conservation action. Share how animal cultures influence perspectives on nature.
4th IUCN World Heritage Outlook report launch: The state of our natural world
11 October – 14:30-15:00
Press Conference: High Level Speaker Area - onsite with livestreaming
The IUCN World Heritage Outlook is a global assessment of natural World Heritage, and our flagship for assessing all natural World Heritage sites. Now in it's fourth edition, it provides an opportunity to identify evolving trends in the global status of natural World Heritage.
Learn more and follow the event.
Improving the Conservation Outlook of MIDAs
11 October – 16:00-17:00
Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Pavilion – onsite only
As IDAs grow in numbers, site managers, management authorities and State Parties require support to effectively manage areas where multiple international designations overlap (MIDAs). This session explores issues, solutions, good practices for managing MIDAs, drawing on IUCN World Heritage Outlook 4, the draft Managing MIDAs 2 guidance and Jeju's experience.
Monitoring the future of natural World Heritage: New insights from IUCN World Heritage Outlook 4
11 October – 18:00-19:00
IUCN Programme 2026-2029 Pavilion – onsite only
Discover the latest insights on the conservation of natural World Heritage sites, examining threats and management effectiveness over the past decade. IUCN World Heritage Outlook 4 presents how well these iconic sites are preserving their natural values and is a powerful gauge of global nature conservation efforts.
Advancing the implementation of the KM-GBF through the UNESCO World Heritage Convention
12 October – 14:00-15:30
CR A-B: Forum – Session Room 4 - onsite with livestreaming
Event participants can learn about the strengths and opportunities for harnessing the World Heritage Convention in support of implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, propose concrete ways and initiatives to maximise this potential, and overcome the contemporary challenges faced in nominating and protecting natural and cultural sites.
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