In a landmark move for global wildlife conservation, India is set to host the first-ever International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Summit in New Delhi on June 1–2, 2026. The summit marks a significant step in bringing nations together for the protection of the world’s most iconic big cat species and their habitats.
The International Big Cat Alliance, launched by India in 2023 during the 50th anniversary celebrations of Project Tiger, is a treaty-based global initiative dedicated to conserving seven major big cats — tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma.
India, which is home to five of these seven species, has emerged as a leading voice in global wildlife conservation. The upcoming summit is expected to witness participation from heads of state, ministers, conservation experts, scientists, policymakers, and wildlife organisations from across the world. According to reports, more than 400 delegates and representatives from numerous member and observer countries are likely to attend the event.
The summit will be organised under the theme “Save Big Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystem,” highlighting the crucial role big cats play in maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity. Apex predators such as tigers and lions are considered indicators of healthy ecosystems. Their conservation also protects forests, grasslands, water systems, and thousands of other species that share their habitats.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav recently launched the official summit website and logo, while also urging big cat range countries that are not yet members of the alliance to join the initiative. India has stressed that international cooperation is essential to tackle challenges such as habitat destruction, poaching, illegal wildlife trade, climate change, and increasing human-wildlife conflict.
One of the major highlights of the summit is expected to be the adoption of the proposed “Delhi Declaration,” a consensus document aimed at strengthening global commitments toward big cat conservation. The declaration is likely to focus on transboundary cooperation, scientific research, technological collaboration, wildlife monitoring, habitat restoration, and sustainable financing for conservation efforts.
The International Big Cat Alliance also seeks to promote South-South cooperation, allowing countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America to share conservation strategies, expertise, and technological innovations. Advanced tools such as satellite monitoring, AI-based tracking, camera traps, and drone surveillance are expected to become central themes in future conservation planning.
The summit reflects India’s growing leadership in environmental diplomacy and wildlife conservation. Over the decades, initiatives such as Project Tiger have helped India revive its tiger population and establish itself as one of the world’s most successful conservation models. The IBCA now aims to replicate such collaborative success stories globally.
At a time when several big cat species face threats of extinction and shrinking habitats, the upcoming summit is being viewed as a historic effort to create a united international platform for conservation. By bringing nations together under a common mission, the IBCA Summit 2026 hopes to ensure that these magnificent animals continue to thrive in the wild for generations to come.