In a significant stride for conservation, India is set to unveil its first-ever Red List of Endangered Species at the upcoming International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress, scheduled to take place in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, from October 9 to 15, 2025. The announcement was made by Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, and External Affairs, who will represent India at the prestigious event.  This moment marks a major milestone in India’s environmental journey—a step toward documenting and safeguarding the country’s rich but threatened natural heritage.

What is the IUCN World Conservation Congress?

The IUCN World Conservation Congress, held once every four years, is the world’s largest gathering dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable development. It brings together governments, scientists, NGOs, Indigenous groups, and private sector leaders to make critical decisions on how humanity interacts with the planet. According to the IUCN, the World Conservation Congress serves as both a global decision-making forum and a marketplace of ideas, bringing together scientists, policymakers, businesses, and communities to share cutting-edge research, innovation, and practical solutions for the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges. 

The 2025 edition in Abu Dhabi will center around five critical themes: Scaling Up Resilient Conservation Action, Reducing Climate Overshoot Risks, Delivering on Equity, Transitioning to Nature-Positive Economies and Societies, and Disruptive Innovation and Leadership for Conservation. 

India’s Journey with IUCN

India’s association with the IUCN is not new. The country became a State Member in 1969 through the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Over the years, India has consistently contributed to global conservation dialogues, emphasizing the balance between development and environmental protection. The IUCN recognizes India as a megadiverse country. Though it occupies just 2.4% of the world’s land area, it hosts 7–8% of all recorded species, including over 45,000 plant species and 91,000 animal species. From the snow-covered Himalayas to the coral reefs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India’s ecosystems are incredibly varied and vital to global biodiversity.

The Red List: What It Means for India

The Red List of Endangered Species is a globally recognized tool for assessing the extinction risk of species. By launching its own national Red List, India aims to create a comprehensive database of its vulnerable and threatened flora and fauna. This list will help policymakers, conservationists, and local communities identify priority species and habitats that need protection. It will also help India align its efforts with global conservation standards and contribute to the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). 

In simpler terms, the list will act as a mirror reflecting the health of India’s ecosystems, showing where immediate attention is required, whether it’s the Bengal tiger in the Sundarbans, the Great Indian Bustard in Rajasthan, or coral reefs off the Lakshadweep coast.

Protecting Nature, Protecting Lives

Conservation is not just about saving animals and plants; it’s about saving ourselves. Millions of Indians depend directly on forests, rivers, and wildlife for their livelihoods. From tribal communities in Madhya Pradesh collecting forest produce to fishermen in Kerala depending on clean coastal waters, biodiversity sustains life and culture. The loss of a species often signals deeper ecological distress that can affect food security, water availability, and human health. In this sense, the unveiling of India’s Red List is also a human story about communities, resilience, and coexistence.

Global Context and the Road Ahead

The last IUCN Congress, held in Marseille, France, in 2021, brought together over 9,200 participants and 25,000 online visitors. It addressed the post-Covid recovery, biodiversity crisis, and climate emergency, culminating in the Marseille Manifesto, a call to action for governments and citizens worldwide. The upcoming Abu Dhabi Congress is expected to build on that momentum, setting the tone for the Decade of Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030). 

For India, the event provides a powerful platform to showcase its conservation achievements, from Project Tiger and Project Elephant to community-based forest management, while pledging renewed efforts to protect what’s left. India’s first Red List of Endangered Species is not just a catalog; it’s a commitment. It reflects the country’s resolve to preserve biodiversity, mitigate climate change, and promote harmony between people and nature. As the world gathers in Abu Dhabi this October, all eyes will be on India, not only as a megadiverse nation but also as a megacustodian of hope for our planet’s shared future.