MSC Foundation Joins Global Conservation Congress

The MSC Foundation announced that it participated in the IUCN World Conservation Congress over the past week, joining representatives from government, science, and philanthropy to advance global sustainability and environmental protection efforts.

Held every four years, the congress concluded on October 15, 2025, and serves as one of the world’s leading forums for setting conservation priorities and promoting sustainable development.

“Philanthropy allows us to pilot and scale solutions that connect people with nature,” said Daniela Picco, Executive Director of the MSC Foundation.

In a press statement, the foundation explained that it contributed to five key sessions, sharing insights from its work in building public–private partnerships for marine restoration, scientific research, and environmental education. These sessions included the inaugural IUCN Philanthropy Summit, the Middle East and North Africa Regenerative Coastal Tourism workshop, and IUCN Red List discussions.

Picco highlighted the growing role of corporate philanthropy in strengthening conservation efforts, drawing from the foundation’s experience on Ocean Cay in The Bahamas - a former industrial site revitalized by MSC Cruises into a thriving marine sanctuary and eco-destination.

On Ocean Cay, the MSC Foundation oversees coral restoration programs, provides hands-on training for marine science students, and leads awareness initiatives that engage both local communities and international visitors at its Marine Conservation Center.

“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 center of every effort, ensuring that philanthropy supports inclusive and sustainable development. These are lessons we’re proud to bring to the global conservation community,” Picco added.

Since 2023, the MSC Foundation has collaborated with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) to support global assessments of coral species for the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and contribute to the IUCN Red List of Ecosystems. These Red Lists are vital tools for identifying species and ecosystems at risk, helping to guide conservation strategies and restoration efforts worldwide.

Dr. Grethel Aguilar, Director General of the IUCN, praised the event’s impact: “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,” Aguilar said.