IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025

Why INTO is going to the IUCN World Conservation Congress: A conversation between Catherine Leonard (INTO) and Georgina Holmes-Skelton (National Trust)

Catherine Leonard: Georgie, you’ll be representing INTO at the IUCN World Conservation Congress (WCC) in Abu Dhabi from 9 – 15 October 2025. Why do you think it’s important for us to be there?

Georgie Holmes-Skelton: It’s a real privilege to be attending on behalf of INTO, especially with support from IUCN who have made that possible. The WCC is the world’s largest gathering of conservationists and INTO has a role to play in those conversations.

One of the reasons I’m doing this on INTO’s behalf is because back in 2023 I was part of a really innovative piece of work that IUCN undertook in the run up to the WCC. They held their first ever citizens’ assembly, made up of organisations randomly selected from their membership, to formulate recommendations and advice to IUCN in creating their first ever policy on synthetic biology.

When INTO was selected to participate, you asked me to be your representative, in part because I’d helped run our own People’s Assembly for Nature. We hoped I could bring some of my experience into IUCN’s work and expand the impact of the People’s Assembly in a whole new way. It was a brilliant experience to be part of, and the final policy that arose is being voted on at this Congress.

Catherine: It’s wonderful that INTO was able to be part of that process and that your experience with citizen’s assemblies could contribute to IUCN’s work.

INTO members are conserving nature in every corner of the globe, often in community-led and heritage-based ways. And nearly always with limited resources. So being part of these global conversations helps ensure their voices are heard. The WCC is a brilliant platform to showcase their work and advocate for the role of national trusts in delivering conservation outcomes. It’s also a chance to raise INTO’s profile and connect with potential collaborators and funders.

Catherine: So, Georgie, you’ll have the opportunity to talk to an extraordinarily wide range of people from different organisations around the world, and take part in IUCN’s formal motions and processes. What are you hoping to bring to the table?

Georgie: The WCC helps shape global conservation policy. By being there, we can contribute to discussions that influence international frameworks and funding priorities. That’s important for the Trust too, especially as we scale up our ambitions for nature. I’m hoping to highlight the unique contribution the National Trust movement makes to nature conservation – and particularly where that intersects with the historic environment. Whether that’s restoring cultural landscapes, protecting biodiversity in heritage sites or engaging communities in stewardship, INTO members are doing incredible work.

Catherine: And what do you hope to take away from the WCC?

Georgie: I’m looking forward to learning from others – what’s working, what’s challenging and how we can collaborate across sectors and borders. The WCC is also a chance to build relationships with funders, policymakers and other NGOs. That could open doors for INTO and its members, especially those working in under-resourced contexts.

The National Trust is deeply committed to nature recovery across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and we know that the challenges we face – biodiversity loss, climate change, land use pressures – are shared around the world. The WCC gives us a chance to learn from others and share our own experiences.

Catherine: It’s also a moment to reflect on the bigger picture, isn’t it?

Georgie: Definitely. The WCC helps shape global conservation priorities and being part of that process means INTO can influence the direction of travel. It’s also about making sure heritage is part of the solution – not just to biodiversity loss, but to climate change, sustainable development and community resilience.

Catherine: Well said. We’re so pleased you’ll be there representing us. Thank you, Georgie.

Georgie: Thank you – and I’m happy to be flying the flag for INTO.