The UK Conservation Learning Week, organised by the Asian Development Bank with UK partners, took place at Wadham

The Asian Development Bank, with UK partners, organised the UK Conservation Learning Week in December 2025 at the University of Oxford as part of the UK–ADB Nature and Food Partnership. The week was hosted at Wadham and our Tutorial Fellow in Biology, Joe Bull, was among the organisers.

The program aimed to build capacity for integrating natural capital and nature-based solutions into ADB projects, supporting nature-positive investments across sectors such as agriculture, water, urban development, and financing systems. It aligns with ADB’s Environmental Action Plan and MDB commitments on nature and biodiversity, drawing on UK expertise, case studies, and practical learning to help teams develop projects that link conservation with development goals

The objective of the program was that by the end of the learning week, participants would be able to:

1. Recognize the critical role of natural capital and ecosystem services in supporting agriculture and food systems, water security, climate resilience, and inclusive economic development.
2. Apply nature positive approaches, tools, standards, and innovative financing solutions to enhance the design and implementation of projects.
3. Design integrated and inclusive solutions that align conservation goals with development priorities, drawing on case studies, field experiences, and peer learning.
4. Network with world-renowned academics, industry practitioners, and development partners, including Professor Dame EJ Milner-Gulland and representatives from the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) and Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

About 40 delegates joined from around 10 countries, representing the ADB and donor countries, and including representatives of ministries.