International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress

The IUCN World Conservation Congress is held every four years.

The 2021 Congress (postponed from 2020), Sep 3-11 in Marseille, France, 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.

The first hybrid in-person and virtual environmental event since the pandemic began, the World Conservation Congress 2021 will drive action on nature-based recovery, climate change and biodiversity post-2020.

Over the past 70 years, IUCN Congresses have been instrumental in shaping the most important global conservation treaties and initiatives. These include the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and the CBD.

Media opportunities at the IUCN Congress:

• Latest news – IUCN and its Members and partners will share the latest updates on conservation and sustainable development
• Government announcements – IUCN Congress is a high-profile opportunity for government leaders to announce major environmental commitments and new conservation initiatives
• Interview opportunities – interview diverse conservation voices including leaders and decision-makers from government, civil society, indigenous peoples, business and academia from around the globe
• Press trips – IUCN will offer members of the media the opportunity to join press trips with IUCN experts to illustrate conservation issues to be discussed at the IUCN Congress

Accreditation information.