PROTECTED AND CONSERVED AREAS IN A CHANGING WORLD: KEY THEMES FOR A GLOBAL RESPONSE

Rao M.; Fitzsimons J.A.; Mitchell B.A.; Redford K.H.; Sandwith T.; Lefebvre T.; Bakarr M.; Barnérias C.; Bucioaca R.; Callow M.; Jiménez M.C.; Chicchón A.; Evans T.; Farroway L.; Germana C.; Göttert T.; Harun M.; Hotham P.; Loncopán S.C.; Malsch K.; Maretti C.C.; Masozera M.; Paxton M.; Rhodes A.; Said C.K.; Singh R.; Painemilla K.W.; Tugendhat H.; Weiskel H. · Parks (2025) · DOI: 10.2305/mxtq4400

Resumen

Much has changed in the ambition for and challenges to protected and conserved areas since the last IUCN World Parks Congress in 2014. As such, the IUCN World Protected and Conserved Areas Congress 2027 (WPC27) will be a critical milestone for global conservation, arriving at a time of ecological urgency and profound societal shifts. WPC27 will be organised around three integrated themes, each designed for their transformative potential: 1) Global Change and Biodiversity – Opportunities and threats for protected and conserved areas; 2) Scaling Effective Conservation – Securing gains and catalysing scalable, sustainable action; and 3) Conservation and People – Rights, responsibilities and relationships in a changing world. This paper synthesises the thematic vision and proposes sub-themes and key outcomes for each, outlining how they can inspire action, innovation and investment at scale. Although the themes were developed for the IUCN World Protected and Conserved Areas Congress 2027, the challenges and opportunities are relevant to discussions on protected and conserved areas at the World Conservation CCCongress 2025 and other global meetings leading up to 2030 and beyond. The programme of WPC27 will be developed to influence and inform a range of related multilateral meetings and negotiations.