IUCN welcomes over 100 new Members at the 2025 World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi
More than 100 new Members joining IUCN this year were welcomed at the IUCN World Conservation Congress taking place in Abu Dhabi.
Among the newest Members are six States: Armenia, Tajikistan, Marshall Islands, Gabon, Tuvalu and Zimbabwe. This brings the total number of State Members and government agencies to 209. The IUCN Council also formally recognised four new National Committees in Madagascar, the Philippines, Egypt and Albania. The remainder of the new membership consists of national and international NGOs, as well as subnational governments and Indigenous peoples' organisations, reflecting the Union’s diverse and expanding base.
IUCN is delighted to welcome an unprecedented number of new Members this year. Only by bringing together governments, civil society, and Indigenous peoples’ organisations to work jointly, can we achieve the Union’s vision of a just world that values and conserves nature. Our new Members from around the world strengthen our ability to deliver on our goals.” – Iain Stewart, Director of Membership, Commission, and Communications at IUCN.
Members remain at the heart of IUCN’s work, with the Members’ Assembly serving as the Union’s highest decision-making body. During Congress, Members gather to debate, network and vote democratically on critical issues. These include setting the Union’s programme for the next four years, deciding on motions, and shaping the direction of the global conservation agenda.
Organisations join IUCN for many reasons: to collaborate with peers across sectors, to access funding and project opportunities, and to ensure their voices are heard in one of the most influential democratic forums for conservation and sustainability. Membership not only grants the right to participate in decision-making but also provides the opportunity to help steer IUCN’s global conservation programme and priorities for the years ahead.
The Members’ Assembly and dedicated Members’ Lounge offer exclusive spaces within the Congress for discussion and collaboration. These spaces facilitate knowledge sharing, partnership and project collaboration.
By fostering these connections, IUCN strengthens its collective impact. Each new Member adds momentum to global conservation efforts, ensuring that the Union’s work remains visible, influential and effective. Drawing on discussions at the 2025 World Conservation Congress concludes, this growing community of Members stand united in advancing a just and sustainable future for nature and people alike.
Full list of Members who join IUCN in 2025 (as of 13.10.2025) here