India prepares to reveal its first red list of endangered species at IUCN World Congress

India to Unveil First Red List of Endangered Species at IUCN Congress (Image: @KVSinghMPGonda/X)

India's first Red List of Endangered Species will be launched at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. The congress is scheduled from October 9 to 15, 2025, where global leaders and experts will congregate to forge the future of world conservation.

India will be represented at the event by Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, and External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh. He announced the development on October 4 on X, writing, “Proud to represent India at the #IUCN #ConservationCongress2025 in Abu Dhabi from Oct 9, where India’s first Red List of Endangered Species will be unveiled.”

Why is this event significant for India and the planet?
India has been a State Member of IUCN since 1969 and this is the first time it will present its own Red List, a critical step in documenting and protecting threatened species. The IUCN Congress, held once every four years, is one of the most influential platforms for shaping global conservation priorities.

Over 1,400 government, civil society and Indigenous organisations vote on policies to guide humanity’s relationship with nature. It is also a major meeting point for scientists, policy experts, business leaders and environmental professionals to share new research and innovative ideas for sustainable development.

The previous Congress was held in Marseille, France, and online from September 3 to 11, 2021. It drew over 9,200 participants and 25,000 public visitors.  The Marseille Manifesto emphasised pressing world concerns, such as biodiversity decline, climate issues, and post-pandemic recovery.

What are the themes and voices that will determine this year's agenda?

The Abu Dhabi edition will focus on five core themes: scaling up resilient conservation action, reducing climate overshoot risks, delivering equity, transitioning to nature-positive economies and societies, and promoting disruptive innovation and leadership.

Key speakers include Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity; Mukhtar Babayev, UNFCCC COP29 President; Musonda Mumba, Secretary General of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands; Grethel Aguilar Rojas, IUCN Director General; and three-time Grammy-winning composer Ricky Kej.

The Congress aims to set the tone for global environmental action and accelerate collaborative solutions to safeguard nature for future generations. India’s debut Red List will be a central part of that conversation.