In a pioneering 24-hour event aimed at accelerating species recovery, the first-ever World Species Congress, organised by Reverse The Red, successfully brought together over 10,000 conservation experts from 203 countries and territories. The event, which started at 10 am on May 15th in Aotearoa New Zealand, resulted in saving 30,000 tonnes of carbon and over USD 20 million, with pledges for more than 3,750 species.
The Congress featured 200 speakers from 68 countries, presenting across 165 sessions. The programme, filled with inspiring messages of urgency, success, and hope, included 30-minute panels, in-depth discussions, field visits, success stories, interviews, and documentary clips. Eight expert storytellers moderated and narrated the sessions, covering topics such as financing biodiversity, technological innovations, behaviour change, and actions aligned with the Global Species Action Plan.
Michael Clifford, Reverse the Red Strategy Director, stated, “With gratitude, optimism is sustainable. These incredible success stories, innovative strategies, and compelling conversations are something we can all be inspired by and learn from. There is a critical role for each of us to accelerate the pace of reversing Red List trends and amplifying our successes when we recover species. Our global coalition is committed to reversing declines and recovering species, and the Congress showed us it’s possible when we all work together.”
David Field, WAZA past-President and co-chair of the Reverse the Red Executive Committee, added, “Through its global reach and unprecedented participation, this World Species Congress brought together the world’s conservationists to celebrate the incredible work already being done and serves to motivate us all towards achieving more species recovery.”
The virtual format of the event allowed USD 23.4 million, which would have been spent on travel and registration, to be redirected towards critical conservation work. This sustainable approach also prevented 30,000 tonnes of carbon emissions and 2,000 kg of food waste.
Additionally, 96 satellite events engaged tens of thousands more in direct, local discussions with networks of experts. Government representatives from 16 countries spoke at the Global Congress, while many more attended national satellite events, engaging directly with local partners working to reduce extinction risk and recover species.
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The Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) showcased India’s conservation efforts, with key speakers including Mr Vivek Menon, IUCN Councillor, Founder and Executive Director of WTI, and Ms Dia Mirza Rekhi, UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador. Topics covered by WTI included “Creative & Multi Tactic Strategies to Recover Whale Shark” by Mr BC Choudhary and “Strategies for Collaboration to Recover Markhor” by Dr Rahul Kaul. WTI also hosted five satellite events focused on conserving Amphibians, Gharials, White-winged Duck, Wild Buffalo, and Markhor.
The goals and targets of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Biodiversity Plan are ambitious, with just over five years remaining to achieve the first targets. The World Species Congress highlighted the possibility of saving species and provided attendees with insights, tools, strategies, and frameworks to accelerate their efforts.
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