Serge Wilmes at the World Conservation Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Abu Dhabi

The Minister of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes, took part in the World Conservation Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), held in Abu Dhabi from 9 to 15 October 2025.

The Minister of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity, Serge Wilmes, took part in the World Conservation Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), held in Abu Dhabi from 9 to 15 October 2025.

The IUCN Congress takes place every four years and brings together ministers, researchers, businesses, and NGOs from all over the world. The 2025 edition focused on five central themes: strengthening resilient conservation actions, reducing the risks of climate overshoot, promoting equity, transitioning to nature-positive economies and societies, and fostering innovation.

On this occasion, Minister Serge Wilmes participated in several events, including the high-level session "Nature-Positive Future: Turning Pledges into Investments”, the presentation of the Blue Natural Capital Financing Facility (BNCFF), and the discussion "Financing the Future: Unlocking Private Capital for a Thriving Planet” organized by Resilient Landscapes Luxembourg (RLL). Moreover, Serge Wilmes attended a special high-level session "Nature's Promise for Climate and People - A Call and Commitment from the Conservation Community to Belém and Beyond”, organized by IUCN President Razan Al Mubarak, and met with Grethel Aguilar, Director General of IUCN, for a constructive bilateral exchange that further strengthened Luxembourg's relationship with the IUCN.

During the plenary session "Nature-Positive Future: Turning Pledges into Investments”, Minister Serge Wilmes opened the discussion on a crucial issue: how to turn commitments into concrete investments for a nature-positive economy.

"Aligning the economy and ecology is essential. To build a sustainable future for nature, we must transform our economic models, mobilize responsible financing, and make nature a strategic priority – not an externality. Luxembourg is committed to showing that this transition is not only possible but indispensable,” declared the Minister.

Furthermore, during an event organized by the Blue Natural Capital Financing Facility (BNCFF), Minister Serge Wilmes officially launched Phase 3 of the project, which aims to develop nature-based solutions to restore and protect coastal ecosystems while generating sustainable economic returns. This support helps translate scientific and scalable solutions into action for climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development of local communities.

Funded by Luxembourg's Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity (MECB), the BNCFF has since 2018 supported 21 high-impact projects, leveraged over €17 million in additional financing, and contributed to the protection of 2.6 million hectares of marine and coastal ecosystems.

However, the highlight of the mission to Abu Dhabi was the "Rio Changemakers” meeting – an innovative Luxembourg initiative designed to connect projects, funds, and investors. "Rio Changemakers” aims to facilitate the financing and implementation of projects that have a real impact on communities and the planet. Around thirty representatives from the financial sector, national governments, civil society, international organizations, and local initiatives responded to this call to action. This first gathering in Abu Dhabi provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, identify potential barriers, and design realistic solution pathways.

In his remarks during the dynamic discussion "Financing the Future: Unlocking Private Capital for a Thriving Planet”, organized by Resilient Landscapes Luxembourg (RLL), the Minister highlighted the positive results and innovative nature of RLL - an initiative that advances high-quality, scientifically sound, and financially viable nature-based solutions.

Finally, Serge Wilmes and Grethel Aguilar welcomed the strong partnership between the IUCN and the MECB during a bilateral meeting. The quality of this collaboration is reflected in Luxembourg's catalytic and ongoing support for strengthening biodiversity finance and nature-based solutions, while also benefiting from the depth of IUCN's expertise in these areas.

Luxembourg's global leadership in sustainable finance and its expertise in climate financing represent a significant asset in fostering more sustainable investments in natural capital.

Press release by the Ministry of the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity