New Delhi: India has postponed the first summit of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), which was scheduled to be held in New Delhi on June 1, 2026.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change announced on Thursday that the summit will now be held at a later date, with fresh dates to be finalised after consultations with participating countries and stakeholders.
Decision Linked to Postponement of India-Africa Forum Summit
According to the ministry, the IBCA Summit was planned in conjunction with the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV), as many African countries are key stakeholders in global big cat conservation efforts.
In an official statement, the ministry said the decision was taken after consultations with the Chairperson of the African Union and the African Union Commission, which decided to convene the India-Africa Forum Summit at a later date.
The ministry stated that postponing the IBCA Summit would help ensure broader and more active participation from all big cat range countries, particularly African nations.
India Reaffirms Commitment to Global Big Cat Conservation
The government reiterated that India remains committed to strengthening international cooperation for biodiversity conservation, ecological sustainability and protection of big cat species worldwide.
The summit was expected to bring together heads of state, ministers, wildlife experts and conservation partners from multiple countries to discuss collaborative strategies for big cat conservation.
Delhi Declaration on Big Cat Conservation Expected
One of the major anticipated outcomes of the summit was the proposed adoption of the “Delhi Declaration on Big Cat Conservation,” aimed at creating a unified global framework for protecting big cat species and their habitats.
Around 13 heads of state were expected to address the summit and share national conservation priorities and experiences.
Earlier this month, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav had described the summit as strategically significant for promoting international partnerships, South-South cooperation and coordinated action among big cat range countries.
About the International Big Cat Alliance
The IBCA was established by the Government of India in 2024 through the National Tiger Conservation Authorityunder the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The alliance aims to facilitate collaboration among countries for the conservation of major big cat species, including:
- Tigers
- Lions
- Leopards
- Snow leopards
- Cheetahs
- Jaguars
- Pumas
Membership is open to all United Nations member states, including both range and non-range countries interested in supporting wildlife conservation efforts.
Summit to Be Rescheduled After Consultations
The ministry said revised dates for the summit would be announced in due course after consultations with partner nations and stakeholders.
The postponement comes amid efforts to ensure maximum participation and stronger international engagement in the proposed conservation framework.
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