The IUCN World Conservation Congress brings organisations together to set priorities and drive conservation action. Scientists, policy experts, governments and business leaders from around the globe to share their experience, innovation and latest research.
The Members’ Assembly is IUCN’s highest decision-making body, where Member organisations vote on pressing conservation issues. Bringing state and non-state actors together means that decisions made in the Assembly provide a powerful mandate to set the nature conservation agenda for years to come.
At the 2025 Congress, Blue Marine Foundation sponsored conservation proposals (motions) for the first time. IUCN members vote on which proposals should become IUCN policy. We co-sponsored two motions, calling for the protection of seamounts from bottom contact gear and for a moratorium on the opening up of mesopelagic fisheries. Both motions passed overwhelmingly, meaning they were supported by members including NGOs, scientists and importantly countries. This provides an opportunity for countries to be held to account on both issues.
