Between October 9 and 15, Ana Di Pangracio, Deputy Executive Director and Director of Biodiversity; Cristian Fernández, Legal Coordinator; and Ana Parellada, Biodiversity Officer, represented FARN at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress, held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

The Congress brought together more than 10,000 representatives from governments, Indigenous Peoples, civil society organizations, scientific communities, and the private sector to define global conservation priorities for the next two decades. For the first time in IUCN’s history, the event hosted a World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature—a milestone of recognition and partnership that set the tone for the entire Congress.

During the meeting, 146 motions were approved, establishing IUCN’s roadmap for the coming years, including commitments on biodiversity, human rights, social participation, and climate justice. Alongside the adoption of the 20-year Strategic Vision and the 2026–2029 Programme, Member States and organizations reaffirmed their collective call to accelerate efforts toward a planet where nature and people thrive together.

FARN’s delegation participated in the Members’ Assembly as well as in thematic forums and side events, contributing actively to debates, regional coordination, and the design of inclusive environmental policies. A long-standing member of IUCN since 1991, FARN has played a key role in several of the Union’s governing bodies, including chairing both the Argentine and South American Committees of IUCN Members. In addition, several FARN professionals serve as experts within IUCN’s specialist commissions.

Motions promoted by FARN and outcomes of the Congress

FARN presented the motion “Conservation of the Environmental Integrity of the San Matías Gulf (Argentina)”, aimed at strengthening the protection of one of the country’s most valuable coastal ecosystems against industrial pressures. The initiative was approved, reflecting the international community’s shared commitment to marine conservation.

FARN also co-sponsored five motions consistent with its environmental justice and human rights agenda:

• The preservation of high Andean wetlands.
• The strengthening of the Vicuña Convention.
• The integration of gender equality into biodiversity policies.
• The inclusion of human rights principles in mineral governance for the energy transition.
• The promotion of youth participation within IUCN.

All of these motions were adopted, consolidating joint efforts between FARN and its regional partners.

Beyond the initiatives promoted by FARN, the Congress adopted key decisions for the global environmental agenda. Notably, a motion recognizing ecocide as an international crime was approved—a historic step toward incorporating severe environmental destruction into international criminal law and advancing global environmental accountability.

Another milestone was the recognition of the rights of Antarctica, designating the continent as a subject of rights and a common heritage of humankind. This decision underscores Antarctica’s vital role in maintaining climate stability and the health of the planet’s natural systems.

Additionally, the Members’ Assembly approved a new Policy on Synthetic Biology, the outcome of a broad participatory process that included a Citizens’ Assembly convened by IUCN, in which FARN took part. The policy establishes ethical and precautionary guidelines for research and the use of biotechnologies in biodiversity conservation—an important precedent for the responsible development of these technologies.

The Congress also renewed IUCN’s leadership for the next four years. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak was re-elected as President of the IUCN, while Ana Di Pangracio was re-elected as Regional Councillor for Mesoamerica and South America, in recognition of her sustained commitment to the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity.

The final version of each motion will be available on the IUCN’s resolutions and recommendations platform. Both the approved motions and the results of the Congress can be found on the official IUCN website.