A view of Qur’anic Botanic Garden booth at IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi.
Doha, Qatar: The Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG), a member of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), participated in the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, taking place in Abu Dhabi from October 9 to 15, under the patronage of H H Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates.
World Conservation Congress is one of the most significant environmental events, bringing together world leaders, experts, and decision makers from over 140 countries to discuss nature-related and biodiversity sustainability issues and enhance international cooperation in addressing environmental and climate challenges.
QBG showcased its latest achievements in plant conservation and environmental education through an advanced interactive exhibition. Visitors used virtual reality (VR) to explore the processes of seed documentation, processing, preservation, and propagation. The exhibition also highlighted the QBG’s role in protecting the plants mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and the Sunnah, as well as its efforts to restore natural habitats in Qatar as part of its environmental sustainability programmes.
The Garden’s representatives participated as speakers in three key sessions during the congress; the first, ‘Cultural and Ethical Approaches to Conservation the Environment,’ highlighted how culturally-rooted and faith-based approaches can enhance environmental awareness and promote responsible behaviour towards nature. The session showcased QBG’s experience in integrating Islamic environmental ethics with hands-on and augmented reality tools for environmental conservation.
In the second session, titled ‘Expanding the Conservation Collective: Innovative Solutions and Ways of Thinking,’ experts explored the role of innovation and modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence, drones, and genetic tools, in developing new approaches to conserve endangered plant species.
The third session, ‘Global Upscaling of Holistic (Integrated) Landscape Management and Restoration,’ highlighted the critical importance of this practice and its role in bridging conservation, restoration, and regenerative agriculture. Talks examined practical applications, key barriers, and opportunities for global upscaling, with special attention paid to landscape finance.
By participating in this global event, the Garden reaffirms its commitment to integrating scientific knowledge with human values, strengthening Qatar’s position as a leader in scientific research and environmental innovation, and contributing to international environmental conservation efforts and promoting sustainable development.
