The GEF Independent Evaluation Office supported the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, contributing to sessions that explored how evaluation, learning, and behavior change can strengthen biodiversity conservation and sustainable development outcomes.

Through its participation, the GEF IEO engaged in discussions on how evidence and evaluation can inform the design, scaling, and assessment of behavior change initiatives, support learning across conservation programs, and link scientific knowledge with policy and community action.

Representing the Office, Jeneen R. Garcia, Senior Evaluation Officer, participated in the following sessions:

• Beyond Pilots: Sustaining, Mainstreaming, Replicating, and Scaling Behavior Change for Impact
• Scaling Up Behavior Change Approaches for Wildlife Conservation: Encouraging Actions that Benefit Wildlife and Communities
• What Difference Did It Make? An Introduction to Impact Evaluations Using a Mixed-Methods Approach

The Congress provided a platform for exchange among practitioners, policymakers, researchers, and conservation partners on the role of evaluation in advancing effective, evidence-informed biodiversity action.