Abu Dhabi to welcome global species conservation leaders this October

MENA Newswire News Desk: The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) will partner with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to host the fifth Species Survival Commission (SSC) Leaders’ Meeting in Abu Dhabi from October 25 to October 28, 2024. This high-profile event will bring together 300 participants, including global leaders and specialists in species conservation, focusing on advancing strategies to protect biodiversity.

This meeting, held every four years, is designed to harness the collective expertise of the SSC Groups to promote knowledge-sharing and enhance species conservation efforts worldwide. The event will feature over 120 sessions, structured around the Species Conservation Cycle: Assess, Plan, and Act. The agenda also includes 20 plenary sessions, workshops, and panel discussions aimed at addressing current species conservation challenges.

Razan Khalifah Al Mubarak, President of the IUCN, expressed her pride in Abu Dhabi’s ongoing role as host of such a key conservation event, reinforcing the city’s leadership in global biodiversity initiatives. EAD Secretary-General Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri highlighted the critical importance of these gatherings in shaping effective global conservation strategies for threatened species.

Prof. Jon Paul Rodríguez, SSC Chair, emphasized that the upcoming meeting will be a transformative experience for SSC leaders, facilitating collaboration and inspiration. He noted the significance of knowledge exchange between SSC leaders and local institutions in confronting pressing species conservation challenges.

At the previous SSC Leaders’ Meeting, held in Abu Dhabi in 2019, IUCN issued the Abu Dhabi Call for Global Species Conservation Action, urging governments worldwide to take immediate action to protect species at risk of extinction. This led to the launch of the Global Species Action Plan in 2023, providing a clear roadmap for addressing species loss.

The SSC is the world’s largest volunteer-based conservation network, responsible for assessing the status of species worldwide. Its flagship Red List of Threatened Species serves as a critical tool for biodiversity assessment and conservation planning. Hosting the SSC Leaders’ Meeting continues EAD’s legacy of supporting species conservation since 2008.