It’s an opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to attend the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress, which is happening next year at the Hawai‘i Convention Center.

The summit meets once every four years to define the global conservation and sustainability agenda.

“The World Congress is an unbelievable event,” said Chipper Wichman, president and CEO of the National Tropical Botanical Garden on Kauai, who spearheaded efforts to bring the summit to Hawaii.

“To call it the Olympics of the conservation world is true. It’s the only event that brings together delegates at the cutting edge of conservation and thought leaders from 160 countries around the world.”

Next year marks the first time the meeting will be held in the United States, having received a strong endorsement from President Barack Obama. The theme? Planet at a Crossroads.

At the last Congress, held in Jeju, South Korea, in September 2012, the IUCN launched a global protected-areas campaign for world national parks, called for a stop to the extinction of rare dolphins and ironed out a treaty to protect wildlife from mercury contamination.

The summit is expected to bring 6,000 to 8,000 attendees from around the world to Waikiki from Sept. 1 to 10. While the Members Assembly is a parliament for member organizations only, the Forum from Sept. 2 to 5 is open to the public with workshops, roundtable discussions and poster presentations.

Local groups are invited to submit a proposal to host an event, according to IUCN guidelines (808ne.ws/1PztIDX). A total of 560 slots are available, but you’ll be vying with others from around the world. Proposals must be submitted by Oct. 15.

Besides bringing travelers to Hawaii, it’s an opportunity to showcase what conservationists in the isles have accomplished and to inspire youth here to take leadership, said Randall Tanaka, executive director of the World Conservation Congress National Host Committee.

Major heads of state are expected to attend, and an invitation has been extended to Obama, who attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit here in November 2011.

“There are patrons of conservation, like Prince William, like the Prince of Monaco, that have historically attended the conference,” Tanaka said.

A kamaaina day pass will be available — $75 for one day, $150 for two days. Visit iucnworldconservationcongress.org.

Nina Wu writes about environmental issues. Reach her at 529-4892 or nwu@staradvertiser.com.