International Big Cat Alliance Summit 2026

International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026

Event Overview:

• Dates: June 1-2, 2026
• Location: New Delhi, India
• Organizer: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, India
• Key Participants: Heads of states/governments from member and observer countries, conservationists, policymakers, scientists, and representatives from various sectors.

Objective:

• To strengthen international partnerships and enhance South-South cooperation in the conservation of large cat species (lions, tigers, leopards, snow leopards, cheetahs, jaguars, and pumas).

Key Highlights:

• Launch of the IBCA summit website and logo by Union Minister Bhupender Yadav.
• The summit aims to gather over 400 stakeholders from around the world to discuss and promote large cat conservation.
• Focus on the theme: "Save Big Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystems".

Significance:

• The summit is expected to be a pivotal global gathering for discussing the future of big cat conservation.
• It will culminate in the endorsement of the "Delhi Declaration," a global resolution outlining shared priorities and enhancing cross-border cooperation for the conservation of big cats and their habitats.

Conservation Efforts in India:

• Highlighted initiatives such as Project Tiger, aimed at the successful conservation of tigers and other big cats.
• Emphasis on the integration of conservation and development, enhancing ecosystem resilience, improving livelihoods, and addressing climate challenges.

International Cooperation:

• The IBCA serves as a unique platform bringing together countries with large cat species to collectively address conservation challenges through collaboration, knowledge sharing, and mutual support.
• The summit will foster collective action among big cat countries and align conservation efforts with global biodiversity and climate goals.

Technical Sessions:

• Following the summit, technical sessions will take place on June 1-2, 2026, involving senior officials, conservation practitioners, and partner organizations from 95 countries focusing on regional big cat conservation.

Exhibition:

• A planned exhibition will showcase tribal art, big cat paintings, films, virtual reality experiences, and India's best practices in biodiversity conservation.

Website and Logo:

• The IBCA summit website will serve as a dedicated global outreach platform for information sharing and engagement.
• The logo symbolizes unity and shared responsibility, featuring the seven big cat species and representing the interconnectedness of ecosystems.

Call to Action:

• Countries with large cat populations that are not part of IBCA are encouraged to join the alliance to create a robust and inclusive platform for the future of these species.

Key Figures:

• Participation from various ministries, including the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change and the Ministry of External Affairs, showcasing a coordinated governmental approach to international biodiversity conservation.

Conclusion:

• The IBCA summit is positioned as a crucial moment in global conservation diplomacy, emphasizing the importance of leadership and collaboration for the successful protection of big cat species worldwide.