The inaugural International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) summit to be held here from June 1 to 3 is expected to adopt the first global declaration on the conservation of big cats, titled ‘Delhi Declaration’, which will articulate shared priorities, strengthen transboundary cooperation and promote landscape-based approaches to the conservation of big cats and their habitats. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change said on Wednesday (May 6, 2026) that representatives from 95 countries are expected to participate.

IBCA is an association of countries that host or have migratory populations of at least one of the seven ‘big cats’ – lion, tiger, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma – and are committed to the conservation of these animals. The Collective Action Alliance consists of 24 member countries, three observer countries and several other ‘range’ countries. Member States are expected to coordinate action through programs and activities aimed at improving habitats, hunting and the status of big cats, including protection and conservation of big cats, innovation, research, development and capacity building.

They also share relevant information about big cat safety and conservation programs. Summit participants are likely to include heads of state/government of member and observer countries, Environment Minister Bhupendra Yada said at an event to launch the summit’s website and unveil its logo on Wednesday.

The summit will be guided by the theme ‘Save the big cats, save humanity, save the ecosystem’, and will bring together over 400 conservationists, policy makers, scientists, multilateral agencies, financial institutions, corporate leaders and community representatives from around the world. The IBCA, piloted and envisioned by India, was officially launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2023.

The alliance, Mr Yadav said, reflects India’s belief that conservation challenges must be addressed “collectively” through collaboration, knowledge sharing and mutual support.