Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced that the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026 aims to enhance global partnerships and foster South-South collaboration in big cat conservation. The summit, set to take place in New Delhi on June 1, 2026, will bring together leaders, policymakers, scientists, and conservationists to discuss safeguarding big cats and their habitats.
Yadav emphasized that the summit will bolster international alliances, encourage cooperation among big cat range countries, and promote joint efforts aligned with global biodiversity and climate objectives. With the theme ‘Save Big Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystem’, the event will engage over 400 stakeholders, including governmental officials, financial institutions, and community representatives worldwide.
Highlighting India’s successful conservation initiatives such as Project Tiger, Yadav underscored the country’s commitment to protecting lions, leopards, snow leopards, and cheetahs. He stressed that India’s conservation endeavors have demonstrated the compatibility of conservation and development, leading to resilient ecosystems, improved livelihoods, and enhanced climate resilience.
The International Big Cat Alliance, established in 2023 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, focuses on conserving seven big cat species through cooperation and knowledge exchange among range countries. Yadav also introduced the summit’s official website, designed to facilitate engagement, information dissemination, and showcase the initiative’s global significance through an official logo film.
