In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the safety of participants and visitors, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the French government have decided to postpone the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2020. Previously scheduled for 11 to 19 June 2020, it will now take place from 7 to 15 January 2021 in Marseille. The French government and IUCN remain fully committed to making the World Conservation Congress a major event for nature conservation and the development of a new global framework for biodiversity. The IUCN World Conservation Congress is where the world comes together to set priorities and drive conservation and sustainable development action. IUCN’s 1300+ government, civil society and indigenous peoples’ Member organisations vote on major issues, action which guides humanity’s relationship with our planet for the decades ahead. IUCN’s unique and inclusive membership gives the Congress a powerful mandate as it is not solely government or non-government, but both together.