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World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature
World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature
Our Traditional Knowledge is the Language of Mother Earth
DATE: October 8–10, 2025
VENUE: DNEC, Abu Dhabi
FORMAT: By invitation only
Summary:
Under the name “World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature: Our Traditional Knowledge is the Language of Mother Earth,” and through through the PODONG Indigenous Peoples Initiative, the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB), and the IUCN Indigenous Peoples’ Organization (IPO) Members will host the first-ever in-person Indigenous Peoples Summit during the UCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
From October 8–10, 2025, over 100 Indigenous leaders from around the world will convene in dialogue with IUCN to strengthen Indigenous-led conservation, shape global policy, and advance a unified Indigenous agenda.
This gathering will help define new priorities and commitments for IUCN and the broader conservation community in relation to Indigenous Peoples and their vital role in conservation.
Lucy Mulenkei, Co-Chair of IIFB and and Executive Director of the Indigenous Information Network (IIN); Ramiro Batzin, Co-chair of IIFB and Vice President and advisor to the IUCN; Viviana Figueroa, Global Technical Coordinator of IIFB; and Onel Masardule, Executive Director of the Foundation for the Promotion of Indigenous Knowledge (FPCI), will be feature speakers of this event.
The Summit will also feature the first Indigenous Peoples Pavilion, an interactive, self-curated space showcasing stories, conservation practices, traditional knowledge and innovations from Indigenous communities worldwide.
Building on the legacy of Marseille and carrying it forward to Abu Dhabi, this historic gathering marks a new chapter in recognizing Indigenous leadership in achieving the goals of the IUCN Global Indigenous Agenda, the CDB’s Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and the Paris Agreement under the UNFCCC.
This Summit is made possible thanks to the generous support from Global Affairs Canada (GAC), and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA).
Visit this website to learn more on the World Summit of Indigenous Peoples and Nature: Our Traditional Knowledge is the Language of Mother Earth.