Abu Dhabi: The Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will jointly host the Fifth SSC Leaders’ Meeting in Abu Dhabi from October 25-28, 2024.
The upcoming meeting will gather over 300 global leaders and experts in species conservation from the world’s largest volunteer conservation science network.
Held every four years, the event is designed to harness the knowledge and experience of the SSC Groups to promote collaboration and information exchange. The ultimate aim is to drive forward efforts in species conservation.
The event will feature over 120 sessions designed around the Species Conservation Cycle (Assess-Plan-Act), which is central to SSC activities. Each component of the cycle will be the focus of a full day’s agenda. The program includes over 20 plenary sessions, along with various workshops, panel discussions, symposia, and training sessions. These sessions aim to share experiences and insights from SSC leaders, drawing from the knowledge gained since the last meeting and throughout the commission’s 80-year history.
HE Razan Khalifah Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, said that, “It is with great pride that the UAE, and Abu Dhabi in particular, continues its tradition of hosting the Fifth IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Leaders’ Meeting. As the sole location for this crucial gathering since its inception, Abu Dhabi remains a steadfast hub for conservation leadership.”
HE also added that, “Our focus remains on the intrinsic value of preserving diverse species, each of which plays a unique role in the stability and functionality of ecosystems worldwide. While our primary mission is to halt and reverse the extinction of species, it’s important to acknowledge that these conservation efforts inherently contribute to a broader environmental resilience. These actions not only safeguard our natural heritage, but also fortify our global capacity to mitigate, adapt to, and build resilience against climate change. By focusing on species conservation, we are indeed laying a foundation that benefits both biodiversity and the global community facing climate challenges.”
Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General, Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi, commented that, “For more than 15 years, the IUCN SSC has held transformative meetings in Abu Dhabi, shaping the direction and integration of species conservation efforts worldwide. By bringing together such a specialised group of leaders, we will be able to bring to life actionable and inspiring solutions for species conservation for future generations to enjoy the wonders of nature.”
Prof Jon Paul Rodríguez, Chair of the SSC, highlighted that, “We feel at home in Abu Dhabi. SSC Leaders now count on this life-changing experience every quadrennium. For some, it will be the first time that they meet in person with a Co-Chair of their own group. For others, it will be an opportunity to reconnect and continue a conversation initiated four years back. “
Prof Rodríguez also noted that, “But for most, it will be an eye-opening, inspiring, challenging and nurturing four days, where they will recharge their batteries, widen their perspectives and increase their sense of belonging to this unique network. For me, it will be my last Leaders’ meeting as Species Survival Commission Chair, the most fulfilling professional experience that I have had.”
A notable aspect of this year’s meeting will be the involvement of SSC Leaders with local institutions, aimed at exchanging expertise and knowledge on both national and global species conservation challenges. The collaboration will focus on identifying effective actions to address these pressing issues.
EAD and SSC are the conveners of the meeting and SSC members the core participants. The Commission meets in Abu Dhabi for the fifth time to advance IUCN’s mission, which is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. All previous leaders’ meetings, since 2008, have been hosted by the Environment Agency, Abu Dhabi.