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At the 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress, the MSC Foundation collaborated with leaders from government, science, and philanthropy to address conservation and sustainable development challenges. The IUCN World Conservation Congress takes place every four years, and the 2025 instalment brought together key stakeholders who, from October 9 to 15, focused on conservation actionable priorities and solutions to the most urgent environmental issues.
During the event, the MSC Foundation presented new models for public-private partnerships centered on marine restoration and research. The foundation’s involvement on the now-restored island of The Bahamas, Ocean Cay, focused on island marine science training and environmental education, which sparked innovative coral restoration projects. MSC Cruises and its foundation work to show that responsible tourism can flourish with environmental restoration and education.
MSC Foundation’s Contributions to the Congress
The foundation took part in several key sessions centered on marine ecosystem conservation and shared its experience and successful initiatives supporting marine ecosystems. The foundation established many key initiatives, including participation in the First IUCN Philanthropy Summit and framework discussions for the Middle East and North Africa Regenerative Coastal Tourism workshop and the IUCN Red List.
The MSC Foundation showed how important philanthropy is to conservation on different platforms. The Foundation has been able to expand its marine restoration initiatives and scientific research projects by partnering with governments, NGOs, and local communities. The Foundation is creating meaningful strides in the mission to protect the oceans and marine ecosystems.
The Congress Featured Key Initiatives
Daniela Picco, the MSC Foundation’s Executive Director, talked about the Foundation’s work on Ocean Cay. Ocean Cay is a transformed industrial site in The Bahamas and has been made into a beautiful environmental retreat for MSC Cruises’ guests. This particular project truly exemplifies how corporate philanthropy can encourage positive environmental changes in a destination, while also contributing to eco-sensitive tourism that boosts the local economy.
Engaging in marine conservation, including coral restoration, marine science education, and public outreach initiatives, became the foundation’s goal for Ocean Cay. Education on marine conservation became one of Ocean Cay’s goals, in addition to attracting tourists. Visitors to the island engage in eco-conscious recreation and are informed on the restoration and protection of coral reefs.
According to Picco, the success of the island depended on the respect of the local ecologies and a commitment to scientific research over the long term. Her point stressed that tourism and ecologically restorative science, when driven by community participation, become a synergistic and bountiful collaboration that can serve the local residents and outside tourists.
Collaboration with IUCN on Global Coral Research
Since 2023, the IUCN (International Union for the Conservation of Nature) Red List of Threatened Species has been used to monitor and assess worldwide vulnerable coral species, allowing the MSC to collaborate on global coral research and complete the first phase of the partnership.
As a global assessment of coral species progresses, the MSC Foundation is instrumental in the protective conservation of marine biodiversity, showing the way in the efforts to protect these ecosystems from further loss. Ranging from raising awareness to directing funding, the IUCN Red List helps prioritize the most needed conservation actions geared to the protection of ecosystems and species from extinction.
Effects of the IUCN Red List
Through countless partnerships and resources, the MSC Foundation ensures the IUCN is able to focus its conservation efforts in a protective manner on the most threatened coral species. The time spent on the assessment of species deeply influences strategic and effective conservation actions in marine ecosystems on a global scale.
As stated by Dr. Grethel Aguilar, the director-general of IUCN, the inaugural IUCN Philanthropy Summit set the stage for the transformative collaboration needed to build a more resilient, nature-positive world. Collaboration between philanthropists and the government is essential in order for world ecosystems to become more resilient and positive.
The Role of Philanthropy in Conservation
Picco also discussed how increasing philanthropy is shaping the future of conservation. She explained how the MSC Foundation is able to pilot and scale solutions through partnerships with aligned organizations and philanthropic partners. These relationships, she pointed out, help to connect people to nature and help maintain the environmental protection efforts for the long haul.
Conclusion
The MSC Foundation’s participation in the IUCN World Conservation Congress is a testament to the power of collaboration to address the environmental challenges that the world is facing. Through its work on Ocean Cay and its partnerships with the IUCN, the MSC Foundation is advancing marine restoration and sustainability and setting a positive example for the cruise and tourism industries. The incorporation of philanthropy into conservation will ensure that tourism and environmental protection work in harmony for the foundation’s vision to materialize.
When the congress ended, Daniela Picco noted how the foundation is happy to be part of advancing the discussion on equity, sustainability, and the need to be committed to nature for the long haul. She stated how continued collaboration can grow a more nature-positive and climate-resilient world for the benefit of generations to come and for the enjoyment of the natural wonders of the world. The continued work of the foundation is a testimony to the value of science and education and how inclusive development can help advance the cause of sustainability for all.
