The World Species Congress event will feature multiple discussion panels designed to foster a “collision of ideas” and deliver The Biodiversity Plan.
In an unprecedented event, conservation experts and enthusiasts from around the globe are set to convene for the World Species Congress, a groundbreaking 24-hour live stream dedicated to addressing the imminent threat of extinction facing one million species worldwide.
The event, orchestrated by Reverse the Red—a coalition of organizations co-chaired by the IUCN Species Survival Commission and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums—will feature multiple discussion panels designed to foster a “collision of ideas” and deliver The Biodiversity Plan. This initiative aims to assess, plan, and act for species conservation through a data-driven, science-based approach.
Participants will include leading scientists, advocates, and partners who are committed to learning from past conservation successes across various species. By combining conservation tools and uniting partnerships globally, the Congress seeks to invigorate conservation efforts and assist countries in meeting the targets set by the Convention on Biological Diversity.
A significant focus of the agenda will be wildlife use and trade, critical components of biodiversity preservation. The Biodiversity Plan outlines specific targets addressing these issues, including Target 5, which aims to ensure the sustainability, legality, and safety of wildlife harvest, use, and trade, and Target 9, which focuses on maximizing the benefits of wild species use for people.
TRAFFIC’s Behaviour Change Programme Leader, Gayle Burgess, will moderate a session on Global Species Action Plan 4.6, addressing Human-Wildlife Conflict and Coexistence. This session will feature James Stevens, who recently transitioned from the IUCN SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence Specialist Group to TRAFFIC, representing the IUCN SSC group on behalf of its Chair.
The collaboration with groups like the IUCN SSC Human-Wildlife Conflict & Coexistence Specialist Group and other on-the-ground organizations is vital. Their combined efforts aim to strike a balance between human needs and wildlife preservation, ensuring conflicts are mitigated and do not escalate into illegal wildlife trade.
As the world faces an unprecedented biodiversity crisis, the World Species Congress stands as a beacon of hope, aiming to mobilize and unite the global community in a concerted effort to prevent further species loss and preserve the planet’s rich biodiversity for future generations.