2025 IUCN Motions
Shaping Policy for Global Nature Conservation
Since 2023, GCELS students, alums, and faculty, have been preparing for the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress, a unique international environmental policy-making forum held every four years where countries, NGOs, indigenous peoples organizations, sub-national governments, and other affiliated organizations working in the conservation field gather to debate and vote upon proposed policies for the largest global network of conservation-focused organizations – the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
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Over the course of 2 years and under the guidance of Professor Achinthi Vithanage, students taking Advanced International Environmental Law and subsequent Guided Research courses, researched and developed their own policy proposals (known as “motions”). They secured support for those motions among IUCN members, negotiated them during online discussions, and ran advocacy campaigns to raise awareness of the issues discussed in the motions. Even after graduation from Pace Haub Law, alums continued their advocacy and involvement, staying on as GCELS Staff Interns.
In October 2025, a cohort of 4 faculty members, 5 students, and 6 alums traveled to Abu Dhabi, UAE, where they negotiated further revisions to Motions in Contact Groups, connected with motion co-sponsors and other IUCN Members to advance their motions, and addressed the IUCN President during the Members Assembly, seeking amendments and providing context for their Motions. On behalf of GCELS, students, alums, and faculty attended Contact Group sessions for various other motions, lending support to co-sponsors and pressing for stronger language when needed. From conducting learning zone sessions to presenting on panels, the GCELS cohort continued their advocacy and awareness-raising throughout the Congress’ various platforms. In the end, 10 motions addressing critical environmental issues that were spearheaded by GCELS students, alums, and faculty, were adopted at the Abu Dhabi Congress.
Follow their work on GCELS LinkedIn, GCELS X, or Pace | Haub Environmental Law Instagram.
GCELS Motions Going to Congress
Motion #033 on Port State Measures for IUU Fishing
This motion calls on IUCN members to advocate for implementation and further enforcement of port state measures to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. IUU fishing is a threat to marine biodiversity, human rights, and marine conservation. This motion invites port states to consider adopting and implementing stronger port measures to fight the prevalence and spread of ports of convenience. Result: Passed by vote at the Member's Assembly. GCELS Contacts: Morgan Martin and Justyna Maksimiuk
Read Motion #033Read the PELR Blog
Motion #94 Recognizing the importance of Indigenous [and local] languages, knowledge and cultural heritage in biodiversity conservation
This motion highlights the urgent need to protect Indigenous languages, recognizing their role in preserving traditional ecological knowledge. Their loss threatens biodiversity and sustainable environmental management, making their preservation essential for global conservation efforts. Result: Passed by vote at the Member's Assembly. GCELS Contact: Isabella Mazzei
Read Motion #94Read the PELR Blog
New and Urgent Motion on ICJ AO
This urgent motion is being proposed in response to the recent Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ AO). The motion seeks to endorse the AO and presses for serious action on climate change with respect to achieving conservation. Result: Passed by vote at the Member's Assembly. GCELS Contact: Prof. Nicholas Robinson
Read Motion Text Read Motion Article
GCELS Motions Going to E-Vote
Motion #005 on Protection and restoration of diverse native grasslands
Result: Passed on E-vote. GCELS Contacts: Prof. Nicholas Robinson, Samuel Carvalho
Read Motions #005Read the PELR Blog
Motion #051 on Mainstreaming gender equality in biodiversity policies, programmes, actions and funding
Result: Passed on E-vote. GCELS Contact: Juliette Planes
Read Motion #051Read the PELR Blog
Motion #098 on Advancing the One Health approach for biodiversity, health and global cooperation;
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Motion #099 on Implementation of the One Health approach, from global to local
Result: Passed on E-vote. GCELS Contacts: Lara O’Callaghan and Victoria Sawchuk
Read Motion #098#099Read the PELR Blog
Motion #132 on Strengthening Business Engagement in Climate Adaptation for Preservation of Biodiversity and Ecosystems
Result: Passed on E-vote. GCELS Contact: Maria Lambert
Read Motion #132Read the PELR Blog
Other Motions that GCELS Faculty & Students have been involved in
Motion #007 on Soil Security Law
This motion was prepared by WCEL’s specialist group on Soil and Sustainable Agriculture Law (SoilSAL), and GCELS was the main proponent of the motion. The motion seeks to develop the foundations for an international convention or global legal instrument on soil security. It asks WCEL to develop concepts and parameters for an instrument, to evaluate and propose national or regional laws with a focus on sustainable agriculture, and to generate momentum among member States to support soil security on a national and global level.
Result: Passed by vote at the Member’s Assembly. GCELS Contacts: Prof. Achinthi Vithanage, Madison Routledge-Pettus
Stage: This motion is going to Congress for a vote
PELR Blog: Forthcoming
Motion #061 on Recognizing the Crime of Ecocide to Protect Nature
This was a joint effort with StopEcocide International. This Motion calls on States to consider enacting domestic laws that recognize ecocide as a crime, and to encourage the International Criminal Court to examine whether the Rome Statute should be amended to include ecocide as a crime in times of peace as well as in conflict.
GCELS Contact: Prof. Nicholas Robinson, Samuel Carvalho
Result: Passed by vote at the Member’s Assembly
Motion on Promoting the conservation and restoration of Latin American mangrove ecosystems through the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) mechanism
GCELS Contact: Samuel Carvalho
Motion: This motion did not proceed to an e-vote. To be re-submitted for Congress in 2029.
Motion on Halting the chemical pollution by textile industries in the water bodies of Southern and South-eastern Asia
GCELS Contact: Severine Ginot
Motion: This motion did not proceed to an e-vote. To be re-submitted for Congress in 2029.
Motion on Strengthening Mechanisms for Public Participation in Environmental Policymaking
GCELS Contact: Harrison Bench
Stage: This motion did not proceed to an e-vote
Motion: This motion did not proceed to an e-vote. To be re-submitted for Congress in 2029.
Learning Zone Deep Dive Session
On October 11, 2025 at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, GCELS hosted a Learning Zone Deep Dive Session on the topic From Classroom to Congress: Engaging Youth in International Environmental Policy-Making. The session brought together educators and young professionals passionate about empowering the next generation of environmental leaders. Led by Professor Achinthi Vithanage, the session featured insights from Professor David Forman (University of Hawaii) and CEO of World Future Council Neshan Gunasekera. From there, youth facilitators, including GCELS students and alums from the Pace Haub Environmental Law Program, guided participants through the process of drafting motions in a classroom setting to attending Congress. These discussions not only deepened understanding of international environmental governance, but also sparked meaningful conversations about youth participation in decision making.
This event was made possible through the support provided by several US IUCN members, youth organizations, the ABA Section on Environment, Energy, & Resources, and IUCN Commissions.