India’s First Red List of Endangered Species to be Unveiled at IUCN World Congress

IN NEWS

India’s First Red List of Endangered Species to be Unveiled at IUCN World Congress

Analysis

• Event Overview:
  India’s first-ever Red List of Endangered Species will be launched at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress, scheduled to be held in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from October 9–15, 2025.
• Representation:
  The Indian delegation will be led by Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, and External Affairs.
• Significance:
  • This marks the first national-level Red List effort by India, aligning with IUCN’s global framework for assessing species at risk.
  • It is a step toward aligning national biodiversity databases with IUCN’s global Red List criteria, enhancing conservation prioritization.
  • India, a State Member of IUCN since 1969, is demonstrating leadership in biodiversity documentation and policy alignment.
• About the IUCN World Conservation Congress:
  • The Congress is held once every four years, serving as a platform for governments, civil society, and indigenous organizations to set global conservation priorities.
  • IUCN’s 1,400+ Members vote on critical motions that guide international conservation policy.
  • The Congress also acts as the largest marketplace for conservation and sustainability science, bringing together scientists, policy experts, business leaders, and environmental advocates.
  • The previous Congress was held in Marseille, France, and online from September 3–11, 2021, with over 9,200 participants and 25,000 public visitors.
• Key Themes for 2025 Congress:
  1. Scaling Up Resilient Conservation Action
  2. Reducing Climate Overshoot Risks
  3. Delivering on Equity
  4. Transitioning to Nature-Positive Economies and Societies
  5. Disruptive Innovation and Leadership for Conservation
• Notable Speakers (2025):
  • Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
  • Mukhtar Babayev, UNFCCC COP29 President
  • Musonda Mumba, Secretary General, Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
  • Grethel Aguilar Rojas, Director General, IUCN
  • Ricky Kej, three-time Grammy Award-winning composer
• Broader Context:
  The unveiling of India’s Red List coincides with growing global focus on nature-positive economies, biodiversity recovery, and climate action. It aligns with India’s commitments under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Static Information

• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature):
  • Founded: 1948
  • Headquarters: Gland, Switzerland
  • Objective: To influence, encourage, and assist societies to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature.
  • Known for publishing the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the world’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of species.
• India’s Association with IUCN:
  • India became a State Member in 1969.
  • Plays an active role in IUCN’s global conservation initiatives.

Updated – 05 Oct 2025 ; 04:31 PM | Down To Earth