UNU-IAS and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will co-organize a session at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 held on 9–15 October in Abu Dhabi. It will focus on the transformative potential of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in recognizing and strengthening conservation efforts by non-state actors, including local communities, Indigenous groups and private entities. By integrating these efforts into the framework of Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, OECMs can drive inclusive and scalable conservation outcomes.
This session will showcase the contributions of non-state actors, highlight the challenges they face in achieving recognition and discuss strategies for equitable implementation and reporting. Through insights from representatives of communities, organizations and policy experts, the event will explore how OECMs can empower non-state actors to play a pivotal role in global biodiversity conservation.
Participation & Registration
The session will be held in Abu Dhabi (IUCN Programme 2026-2029 Pavilion R2) and online. It is open to conference participants. For registration details, please visit the conference website.
Please note that participants in UNU events may appear in photography, screen captures, videos, and/or audio. For further information please refer to Events.
Language
The session will be conducted in English.
Programme
Speakers:
- Suneetha M. Subramanian (Research Fellow, UNU-IAS)
- Atsuhiro Yoshinaka (Special Assistant to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan)
- Jasmin Upton (Programme Officer, UNEP-WCMC)
- Takao AibaI (Chair of Planning Sub-committee, Keidanren Nature Conservation Council)
- Ulrika Åberg (Senior Programme Officer, IUCN)
- Stephen Woodley (Vice Chair for Science, IUCN-WCPA)
- Philippe Mayaux (Senior Expert, European Union)
- Stewart Maginnis (Deputy Director General Programme, IUCN)
- Prescilia Kapupu (Indigenous Expert, ANAPAC - DRC)
Organizers
This event is organized by IUCN in collaboration with UNU-IAS and the European Union (EU).
Other Events
UNU-IAS will also contribute to a session "Exploring the Potential of Agricultural Landscapes as OECMs", featuring Suneetha M. Subramanian (Research Fellow) as a speaker. The session will be held in hybrid mode on 10 October 2025 at 15:30–17:00 JST. For more details, please visit the event page.
Background
Target 3 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022, aims to conserve 30% of global land and sea by 2030. OECMs are a critical mechanism for recognizing conservation efforts beyond traditional protected areas, particularly those led by non-state actors such as Indigenous Peoples, local communities and private organizations. By fostering equitable governance and socio-cultural development, OECMs can enhance the inclusivity and impact of global conservation efforts.
