World Conservation Congress Members Approve Motion for Urgent Rhino Protection in Indonesia

WASHINGTON— Members of the World Conservation Congress (WCC) approved a motion encouraging support for urgent action to secure the remaining populations of Javan and Sumatran rhinos. 

The motion, submitted for approval by the Government of Indonesia, aims to focus attention and resources to bolster protections for Critically Endangered Sumatran and Javan rhinos ahead of the October WCC session. 

“Javan and Sumatran rhinos are on the brink of extinction and urgently need support,” said Nina Fascione, executive director of the International Rhino Foundation. “The global community needs to act now and help prevent the loss of these important animals. We’re grateful to the Government of Indonesia for submitting this important motion.”

The motion encourages government agencies to enhance protection efforts and calls on donor organizations to support the recovery of these important ecosystem engineers. It also requests that the IUCN Director General and Species Survival Commission provide ongoing support and guidance to the Indonesian government to strengthen rhino conservation, and for the director and commission to report on the implementation of the motion in four years during the next World Conservation Congress session.

“All nations and international bodies that care about the survival of these rhinos should collaborate and coordinate to provide funding and support for rhino conservation efforts in Indonesia,” Fascione added. 

The 2025 World Conservation Congress will take place October 9 to 15 in Abu Dhabi. Then, in November, the 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP) of signatories to CITES – the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora – will allow experts to review global rhino conservation efforts. With the WCC and the CoP, the international community has the opportunity to shape rhino conservation around the globe for the next decade. 

At the CoP, the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) will co-facilitate a panel discussion with rhino conservation, wildlife trade and law enforcement experts, as well as representatives from rhino range states affected by the illegal rhino horn trade. This side event can help shape the narrative around rhino conservation at CoP20 and influence decisions related to trade and enforcement.

IRF recently released its “State of the Rhino” report, detailing the status of all five rhino species and threats from poaching and the illegal horn trade. The report includes comprehensive recommendations from IRF for rhino range states and the international community to help ensure rhinos survive and, hopefully, thrive well into the future. 

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The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) manages, facilitates and funds conservation initiatives for highly threatened rhino populations in Africa and Asia. Established in 1993, IRF focuses on scientific research, fighting poaching, habitat and population management, conservation breeding, community development and capacity building, demand reduction and legal training and support to fight illegal wildlife trade. In the past decade, IRF has invested more than $25 million in rhino conservation and research. Learn more at rhinos.org.