IUCN World Conservation Congress Outcomes

At the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi in 2025, the endangered status of Arctic seals took center stage: The hooded seal was upgraded from “Vulnerable” to ‘Endangered’ due to melting sea ice, while the bearded seal and harp seal shifted from “Least Concern” to “Near Threatened.” This assessment is based on scientific evidence showing Arctic warming occurring at a rate four times faster than the global average, coupled with the persistent decline in sea ice coverage. These factors directly threaten the seals’ ability to breed, rest, and forage.