he first IUCN Philanthropy for Nature Summit held a day to #IUCNcongress 2025./ PHOTO ; Courtesy
As the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 begins in Abu Dhabi from October 9–15, momentum had already been set a day earlier, on October 8, by the inaugural IUCN Philanthropy Summit.
Co-hosted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Erth Zayed Philanthropies, in partnership with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, the Summit was held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chair of the International Humanitarian and Philanthropic Council and Chair of Erth Zayed Philanthropies.
Bringing together global and regional leaders from philanthropy, government, and business, the Summit convened under the theme “Mobilising Philanthropy for a Nature-Positive Future.”
Its central message was clear: philanthropy must play a defining role in financing and accelerating global conservation efforts.
Rethinking Philanthropy for Nature
In his keynote address, H.E. Badr Jafar, Special Envoy of the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs for Business and Philanthropy, called for a bold reimagining of how philanthropic capital engages with nature-based solutions.
“Achieving global biodiversity goals is estimated to require $1.3 trillion every year, yet less than five percent of philanthropic capital currently flows to nature solutions,” he said.
He pointed to the UAE’s leadership in environmental stewardship through initiatives such as the National Water Security Strategy 2036, the Mangrove Alliance for Climate, and the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund.
“From the United Arab Emirates, we have learned a simple truth: when ambition, science, and coalitions meet, nature responds,” he added.
A Catalyst for Collaboration
Over the day-long convening, discussions explored how philanthropy can catalyze innovation, blended finance, and inclusive collaboration.
Participants emphasised the need to bridge governments, businesses, communities, and Indigenous knowledge systems, integrating cultural wisdom with scientific expertise to drive lasting change.
Sessions showcased examples of how philanthropic capital, with its flexibility and appetite for risk, can complement public and private funding.
Speakers highlighted its unique ability to de-risk investments, support pilot projects, and accelerate solutions that deliver measurable ecological and social impact.
Corporate Giving and Shared Value
A dedicated panel on corporate philanthropy explored how companies are increasingly expected to align business strategies with environmental commitments.
Speakers noted that when businesses embed conservation in their core values, philanthropy becomes a driver of innovation rather than a sideline activity.
Corporate giving, they agreed, can redefine business models and the meaning of shared value, helping firms deliver benefits to both society and shareholders while closing critical gaps in conservation finance.
Building Trust and Shifting Power
Another focal point was the rise of trust-based philanthropy, which calls for shifting the donor-grantee dynamic from control to partnership.
Participants stressed that long-term relationships grounded in mutual respect, simplified reporting, and transparency can improve agility and governance in conservation projects.
This approach, they said, nurtures innovation and resilience by giving implementing partners the flexibility to adapt to on-the-ground realities.
When applied to conservation, it helps move away from short-term project cycles toward sustained ecosystem recovery and community empowerment.
Philanthropy’s Expanding Role
Beyond its technical discussions, the Summit was a call to action for a more strategic, collaborative, and inclusive approach to environmental giving.
It showcased how philanthropy can fill critical gaps in global conservation finance, drive innovation, and leverage partnerships that combine resources and expertise across sectors.
With philanthropic giving from the Gulf now exceeding US$210 billion annually, the region is rapidly becoming a major driver of environmental and sustainable development efforts.
The UAE’s leadership in convening the inaugural IUCN Philanthropy Summit underscored its growing role as a global hub for strategic philanthropy, uniting public policy, private investment, and civic responsibility around shared sustainability goals.
For Dr. Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General, the Summit marked a pivotal step toward forging stronger, cross-sector alliances for conservation.
“The inaugural IUCN Philanthropy Summit has laid the groundwork for stronger collaboration and new alliances among like-minded philanthropists. This marks the beginning of a new chapter one where philanthropy helps shape the future of conservation and fosters a nature-positive, climate-resilient world for generations to come,” she said.
As environmental crises deepen and the race to achieve nature-positive targets intensifies, the Summit made clear that philanthropy’s value lies not just in funding but in vision, trust, and collaboration.
By enabling bold ideas, supporting risk-tolerant experimentation, and linking global ambition to local action, philanthropy can help build the resilient, thriving planet future generations deserve.
The message from Abu Dhabi was unmistakable: philanthropy has both the responsibility and the opportunity to lead.
The inaugural IUCN Philanthropy Summit charted that path, showing how collective, trust-based, and visionary giving can transform conservation and drive humanity toward a truly nature-positive future.
