**Executive Summary**
India will host the first International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit in New Delhi on June 1–2, 2026, to foster global cooperation in protecting seven major big cat species. Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav recently launched the summit's official website and logo, marking a milestone in conservation diplomacy. The event aims to adopt the "Delhi Declaration" and calls upon all big cat range countries to join the alliance to secure the future of these species and their ecosystems.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Summit Logistics and Framework**
* **Dates and Location:** The summit is scheduled for June 1st and 2nd, 2026, in New Delhi, India.
* **Theme:** The official theme is ‘Save Big Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystem’.
* **Scope:** The IBCA focuses on the conservation of seven species: Lion, Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma.
* **Organization Status:** The IBCA is an inter-governmental international organization headquartered in India.
**Core Objectives and Outcomes**
* **The Delhi Declaration:** A primary goal is the adoption of this global declaration to articulate shared priorities and promote landscape-based conservation.
* **International Cooperation:** The summit seeks to strengthen South-South cooperation and align conservation efforts with global biodiversity and climate goals.
* **Knowledge Sharing:** The event provides a platform for 95 range countries to share best practices, scientific management, and institutional collaboration.
**Digital and Cultural Initiatives**
* **Official Website:** A dedicated global platform launched for outreach, engagement, and consistent communication.
* **Summit Logo:** A design featuring the seven big cats and a lotus-inspired motif representing unity and the five elements of nature.
* **Exhibition:** A curated showcase will feature tribal art, films, virtual reality experiences, and India’s conservation achievements.
**Impact Analysis**
**Big Cat Range Countries (95 Countries)**
**Impact**
These nations gain access to a first-of-its-kind global platform for conservation diplomacy and transboundary cooperation to protect native species.
**Action Required**
Countries not yet part of the IBCA are urged to join the alliance; member nations are encouraged to ensure participation at the highest level (Heads of State/Government).
**Conservationists, Scientists, and Policymakers**
**Impact**
Over 400 experts will have the opportunity to deliberate on the future of big cat conservation through dedicated technical sessions.
**Action Required**
Experts and practitioners are expected to participate in sessions to align conservation narratives and share scientific management strategies.
**Multilateral Agencies and Financial Institutions**
**Impact**
The summit serves as a venue to align international funding and resources with global biodiversity and climate-resilience goals.
**Action Required**
These entities must engage with the alliance to support the implementation of the Delhi Declaration and landscape-based conservation projects.
**Local and Tribal Communities**
**Impact**
The summit highlights the role of community participation and showcases tribal art and culture in the context of biodiversity.
**Action Required**
Community representatives are encouraged to share indigenous knowledge and best practices for co-existing with big cat species.
Key Entities Referenced
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA): An India-headquartered inter-governmental organization established for the conservation of seven major big cat species through global cooperation and knowledge sharing.
IBCA Summit 2026: A landmark global gathering to be hosted by India in New Delhi to strengthen international partnerships and South-South cooperation for big cat conservation.
Delhi Declaration: The first-ever global declaration on big cat conservation intended for adoption at the 2026 summit to articulate shared priorities and transboundary cooperation.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change: The primary Union Ministry responsible for launching the alliance's initiatives and coordinating the global summit.
Project Tiger: A successful Indian conservation program referenced as the foundational experience inspiring the launch of the International Big Cat Alliance.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
India to host International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
Summit, on 1st – 2nd June, 2026, in New Delhi
Union Environment Minister launches Website and Logo of
IBCA Summit, 2026
Shri Bhupender Yadav calls upon Big Cat Range Countries
not yet part of IBCA to join Alliance for securing future of
these Species
Summit will strengthen International Partnerships, promote
South-South cooperation in Big Cat conservation: Shri Yadav
Posted On: 06 MAY 2026 6:39PM by PIB Delhi
Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav launched the website
and logo for the 1st International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit 2026, in New Delhi today. During
the event, he also released a promotional film on the Summit. Several Heads of Mission of Big Cat Range
Countries, along with senior officials from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,
Ministry of External Affairs and IBCA attended the event. The IBCA, an inter-governmental international
organisation headquartered in India, has been established for the conservation of seven big cats - Lion,
Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar and Puma.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Yadav described the occasion as an important milestone towards a
landmark global gathering dedicated to the conservation of the world’s iconic big cats. He informed that
India would host the first IBCA Summit on 1st June 2026 in New Delhi, with participation expected from
Heads of State/Government of Member and Observer countries. The Summit, guided by the theme ‘SaveBig Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystem’, would bring together over 400 conservationists,
policymakers, scientists, multilateral agencies, financial institutions, corporate leaders and community
representatives from across the globe.
Highlighting India’s journey in big cat conservation, the Minister noted that it has been marked by
commitment, innovation, scientific management, institutional collaboration and community participation.
Referring to the success of Project Tiger and initiatives for lion, leopard, snow leopard and cheetah
conservation, he stated that India has demonstrated that conservation and development can go hand in
hand, strengthening ecosystems, improving livelihoods, resilience, and mitigating climate challenges.
Shri Yadav stated that India’s experience and a deep sense of global responsibility inspired the visionary
leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to launch the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) in
2023. He described IBCA as a first-of-its-kind platform bringing together countries home to the seven big
cats, reflecting India’s belief that conservation challenges must be addressed collectively through
cooperation, knowledge sharing and mutual support.
The Minister emphasized that the upcoming Summit will be a defining moment in global conservation
diplomacy, bringing together world leaders, experts and partners to deliberate on the future of big cat
conservation. He underlined that the Summit will strengthen international partnerships, promote South-
South cooperation, inspire collective action among big cat range countries and align conservation efforts
with global biodiversity and climate goals. For the first time, world leaders will convene exclusively to
deliberate on big cat conservation across continents, he added.Shri Yadav informed that a key outcome of the Summit would be the adoption of the first-ever global
declaration on big cat conservation, titled the ‘Delhi Declaration’, which will articulate shared priorities,
strengthen transboundary cooperation and promote a landscape-based approach for conserving big cats
and their habitats.
The Summit will be followed by technical sessions on 1st and 2nd June 2026, with participation from
senior government officials, conservation practitioners, experts and partner organisations from 95 big cat
range countries. A curated exhibition will also be organised during the Summit in collaboration with
leading institutions and partners, showcasing tribal art, paintings on big cats, immersive photographs,
films, virtual reality experiences and India’s best practices and achievements in big cat and biodiversity
conservation.
On the launch of the IBCA Summit Website, the Minister said it would function as a dedicated global
platform for outreach, engagement and information sharing It would also host the official IBCA Summit
2026 logo film that captures the Summit’s vision, conservation narrative and global relevance, therebyenhancing awareness, visibility and public engagement. The website will serve as the official digital
identity of the Summit, ensuring consistency, authenticity and clarity in all communications.
Referring to the IBCA Summit Logo, Shri Yadav said that it captures the spirit of the initiative. He
informed that the logo reflects harmony, balance and interconnected ecosystems. The logo features the
seven big cat species at its core, symbolising unity and shared responsibility and is encircled by a lotus-
inspired design representing the five elements of nature.
Concluding his address, the Minister urged all present to extend full support in ensuring participation at
the highest level from their respective countries, emphasizing that leadership and engagement would be
critical in making the Summit a global success. He also called upon big cat range countries not yet part of
IBCA to join the Alliance to build a strong, inclusive and action-oriented platform for securing the future
of these species.
Dignitaries on the dais included Shri Tanmay Kumar, Secretary, MoEFCC; Shri Sibi George, Secretary
(West), MEA; Shri Sushil Kumar Awasthi, Director General (Forests) and Special Secretary, MoEFCC;
and Shri S.P. Yadav, Director General, IBCA.
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VM/GS
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