IUCN adopts resolution on global genetic diversity assessments

Opening ceremony of the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. Credit: Jess da Silva 

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has adopted Motion 088 as an official Resolution at the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi (9–15 October), mandating the creation of a Task Force to develop a global standard for genetic diversity assessments.

The resolution recognises that genetic diversity is essential for species persistence, ecosystem resilience, and nature’s contributions to people, yet remains poorly and inconsistently assessed in conservation policy and practice. The new Task Force will evaluate existing approaches, assess feasibility and logistics, and deliver a publicly available report following broad consultation during the 2026–2029 quadrennium.

This is a major step forward for embedding genetic diversity into biodiversity assessment, monitoring, and decision-making, particularly for species not currently classified as threatened but already losing genetic diversity.

Motion 088 was adopted alongside other genetics-related motions, including resolutions addressing synthetic biology and genetically modified organisms. These discussions highlight both the increasing prominence of genetic considerations in conservation and the diversity of perspectives on how emerging genetic tools should be governed.