Theme & Objectives
Defining the purpose and priorities of the 2nd Asian Ranger Congress.
2nd Asian Ranger Congress · Thimphu, Bhutan · 2–4 December 2026
2026 Theme
Theme to be confirmed
The official congress theme will be announced in the coming months.
The 2nd Asian Ranger Congress continues to build on the momentum of the first Congress and the outcomes of the 10th IRF World Ranger Congress, with a strong commitment to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
ARC 2026 is built around five interconnected priorities: recognising rangers as an essential professional workforce, strengthening their collective voice and representation in policy arenas, advancing their welfare, mental health, and professional standards, and ensuring the ranger workforce reflects the full diversity of the landscapes and communities it serves.
Priority 1
Consolidate a unified Asian ranger position to bring to the 2027 World Ranger Congress, building on the Guwahati Declaration and strengthening ranger-led advocacy capacity and collective voice through the Ranger Federation of Asia.
Priority 2
Enhance working conditions, social protection, and insurance coverage across Asia. Advance WRAP 2030 professional standards tailored to the Asian context.
Priority 3
Strengthen evidence and support around rangers' contributions to climate resilience, One Health, disaster risk reduction, and community wellbeing, positioning rangers as essential actors within broader development and humanitarian frameworks.
Priority 4
Facilitate direct peer exchange through hands-on training in first aid, disaster response, forest fire and emotional resilience, building a self-sustaining network of ranger knowledge that travels across borders and generations.
Priority 5
Build a ranger workforce where women, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities are represented as equal partners in conservation.
@ Meeri Koutaniemi/WWF FinlandTheme 1
Advancing the public, institutional, and policy recognition of rangers as essential conservation professionals across Asia.
@ Ranjan Ramchandani/WWFTheme 2
Positioning rangers as the frontline workforce needed to deliver the global commitment to protect and conserve 30 percent of land and oceans by 2030.
@ Alain Compost/WWFTheme 3
Recognising rangers as first responders to climate impacts, wildfire, wildlife emergencies, and other threats affecting protected and conserved areas.
@ Simon Rawles_WWF-UKTheme 4
Strengthening diversity, equity, and inclusion in ranger teams by supporting women, Indigenous rangers, and local community members in the profession.
@ Ranjan Ramchandani/WWFTheme 5
Improving ranger safety, wellbeing, rights, and professional support through stronger advocacy, regional cooperation, and cross-sector partnerships.
@ Emmanuel RondeauTheme 6
Connecting the health of people, wildlife, livestock, and ecosystems through ranger-led conservation, monitoring, and community engagement.
@ Ranjan Ramchandani/WWFTheme 7
Exploring practical financing models, partnerships, and funding pathways that can sustain ranger work, training, equipment, and long-term support.
