St Petersburg:
It's being called the last big push for the tiger. With only 3000 tigers left in the wild, fears that the big cat could be wiped out by the next decade have brought 13 tiger range countries, as well as representatives from the US, UK and Germany to the tiger forum in St Petersburg.
While many steps are being debated, what everyone does agree, is that saving the tiger is crucial to saving biodiversity.
"The ongoing decline of tiger habitats is emblematic of the loss of Asia's forested landscapes.The disappearance of the species at the top of the food chain will endanger all other species," said James Adams, from the World Bank.
The need for political will and the role played by India was also emphasised.
"It is the political will that will allow us to act to prevent the disappearance of tigers even though they compete for land and resources. Forty years ago PM Indira Gandhi in India showed what political courage can accomplish. It was her act of courage that helped create Project Tiger," said James Leape, Director General, WWF International.
But there has been some scepticism in conservation circles in India about the forum.
"Will another meeting save the tiger? What I find reassuring is that for the first time we have heads of state, political will at that level, coming forward to save the tiger," said Vivek Menon, Delegation Head, Global Tiger Forum.
The international forum in Russia is unprecedented. Thirteen tiger range countries are debating and discussing the way forward, but how much will translate into action on the ground is the big question, and will this be the turning point in tiger conservation.