To Abu Dhabi from Ocean Cay: MSC Foundation at the IUCN Congress

The Foundation shares Learnings from its Marine Conservation Center in The Bahamas at the IUCN World Conservation Congress

Focus Area: Environmental Conservation

Over the past week, the MSC Foundation joined leaders from government, science, and philanthropy at the IUCN World Conservation Congress. Held every four years, the Congress concludes today as the world’s largest gathering uniting countries, experts, and organisations to set priorities and drive conservation and sustainable development action.  

Across five sessions—including the inaugural IUCN Philanthropy Summit, the Middle East and North Africa Regenerative Coastal Tourism workshop, and IUCN Red List discussions—the MSC Foundation shared its experience in forging public–private collaborations for marine restoration, scientific research, and environmental education. Executive Director Daniela Picco highlighted how corporate philanthropy is amplifying conservation impact, drawing on learnings from the island of Ocean Cay in The Bahamas, a former industrial site transformed by MSC Cruises into a pristine paradise for its guests, where the Foundation leads coral restoration, training for marine science students, and public awareness initiatives with local communities and international visitors at its Marine Conservation Center.

Since 2023, the MSC Foundation has partnered with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to support the global assessment of coral species worldwide for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and coral research for the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems—the global gold standards in conservation science. Much like a health check-up for nature, the Red Lists alert the world to species and ecosystems at risk, guiding action to prevent their decline and support recovery.

“Philanthropy allows us to pilot and scale solutions that connect people with nature,” said Daniela Picco, Executive Director of the MSC Foundation. “On the island of Ocean Cay, we are seeing that restoration and tourism can co-exist—when guided by science, long-term commitment, and respect for local ecosystems. Above all, equity must remain at the centre of every effort, ensuring that philanthropy supports inclusive and sustainable development. These are lessons we’re proud to bring to the global conservation community.”

Dr Grethel Aguilar, Director General of the IUCN, said:

“The inaugural IUCN Philanthropy Summit has laid the groundwork for stronger collaboration and new alliances among like-minded philanthropists. This marks the beginning of a new chapter, one where philanthropy helps shape the future of conservation and fosters a nature-positive, climate-resilient world for generations to come.”