Stewart MAGINNIS

Biography

Stewart Maginnis has worked in sustainable development and biodiversity conservation for over 35 years. He has lived for extensive periods in Tanzania, Sudan, Ghana and Costa Rica, undertaking conservation fieldwork.  He led the development and promotion of “forest landscape restoration” (FLR) – one of the first “purpose-built” Nature-based Solutions - to which over 60 countries have committed more than 210 million hectares under the Bonn Challenge.  He and his team at IUCN have worked over the last 12 years on defining and promoting the concept of Nature-based Solutions and supporting its application to climate change, food & water security and disaster risk reduction.  He is currently the Deputy Director General of IUCN with responsibility for the IUCN programme of work.

Stewart was educated at Oxford University and Queen’s University Belfast.

Speaking at

From Marseille to Abu Dhabi: IUCN as a Union

Oct 08 2025 (11:30 - 13:15)

Room: Conference Hall A: Session Room 4
From Marseille to Abu Dhabi: IUCN as a Union
IRENA and IUCN announce new partnership to build just transition towards climate and biodiversity goals

Oct 09 2025 (12:00 - 12:30)

Room: Press conference room | Hall 2
IRENA and IUCN announce new partnership to build just transition towards climate and biodiversity goals
China's 'Two Mountains' Concept Promoting Transformative Conservation of Natural Resources

Oct 09 2025 (16:30 - 17:10)

Room: CS-Disruptive Innovation and Technology
China's 'Two Mountains' Concept Promoting Transformative Conservation of Natural Resources
Engaging with and enhancing the effectiveness of the Global Review of the KMGBF

Oct 09 2025 (17:30 - 18:30)

Room: Pavillon France
Engaging with and enhancing the effectiveness of the Global Review of the KMGBF
Learning how to implement the updated Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions

Oct 10 2025 (08:30 - 10:30)

Room: Conference Hall B: Session Room 8
Learning how to implement the updated Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions
The World Coastal Forum: From Resolution to Action

Oct 10 2025 (11:00 - 12:00)

Room: Ministry of Natural Resources of China
The World Coastal Forum: From Resolution to Action
OECMs as a potential avenue for strengthening the contributions of non-state actors [Event ends 1:30pm]

Oct 10 2025 (12:00 - 13:00)

Room: IUCN Programme 2026-2029 Pavilion - R2
OECMs as a potential avenue for strengthening the contributions of non-state actors [Event ends 1:30pm]
ENACT Partnership Stories from the Ground: What Do Successful vs Unsuccessful Nature-Based Solutions Look Like?

Oct 10 2025 (14:00 - 15:30)

Room: Hall 4B: Session Room 2
ENACT Partnership Stories from the Ground: What Do Successful vs Unsuccessful Nature-Based Solutions Look Like?
A biodiversity revolution: Scaling species conservation for biodiversity, climate and people

Oct 10 2025 (15:00 - 16:30)

Room: IUCN Programme 2026-2029 Pavilion - R2
A biodiversity revolution: Scaling species conservation for biodiversity, climate and people
Réception France-UICN - De Fontainebleau à Abu Dhabi : l’engagement français au sein de l’UICN

Oct 10 2025 (19:00 - 21:00)

Room: Pavillon France
Réception France-UICN - De Fontainebleau à Abu Dhabi : l’engagement français au sein de l’UICN
Opening Reception: Assessing progress ahead of the UN Biodiversity Conference 2026

Oct 10 2025 (19:00 - 21:00)

Room: Nature Positive Pavilion
Opening Reception: Assessing progress ahead of the UN Biodiversity Conference 2026
Strengthening IP&LC Leadership in tiger conservation: Voices from the landscape [Event starts at 7:30pm]

Oct 10 2025 (20:00 - 21:00)

Room: IUCN Programme 2026-2029 Pavilion - R2
Strengthening IP&LC Leadership in tiger conservation: Voices from the landscape [Event starts at 7:30pm]
Restoring Land and Ecosystems to Reconnect People and Nature for a More Resilient Future

Oct 11 2025 (13:00 - 13:40)

Room: CS-Nature-Climate-People Nexus
Restoring Land and Ecosystems to Reconnect People and Nature for a More Resilient Future
Nature Positive Pathways: Scaling Nature-based Solutions to Meet Global Biodiversity Goals

Oct 11 2025 (13:00 - 14:00)

Room: IUCN Arabia
Nature Positive Pathways: Scaling Nature-based Solutions to Meet Global Biodiversity Goals
Success stories from the Global South

Oct 11 2025 (15:30 - 16:00)

Room: Press conference room | Hall 2
Success stories from the Global South
Water without borders: from reliance to resilience

Oct 11 2025 (16:00 - 16:40)

Room: CS-Nature-Climate-People Nexus
Water without borders: from reliance to resilience
High level Event on Innovative Financing Mechanisms for Scaling Up Nature-based Solutions (NbS)

Oct 11 2025 (16:00 - 17:30)

Room: Hall 4A: Session Room 1
High level Event on Innovative Financing Mechanisms for Scaling Up Nature-based Solutions (NbS)
Scaling Up CSO-Led Environmental Solutions : Launch of the GEF Small Grants Program CSO Challenge

Oct 12 2025 (11:00 - 12:30)

Room: CS-Conservation Action
Scaling Up CSO-Led Environmental Solutions : Launch of the GEF Small Grants Program CSO Challenge
Partnership for Nature Conservation: The Strategic Collaboration between IUCN, NCVC and Tilad Business Holding

Oct 12 2025 (13:00 - 13:45)

Room: IUCN Arabia
Partnership for Nature Conservation: The Strategic Collaboration between IUCN, NCVC and Tilad Business Holding