The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) agreed in May to sign a cooperation agreement to support joint efforts for biodiversity conservation in North Africa.

Three priority areas were identified to initiate cooperation: the valuation of oasis ecosystems, the conservation of marine biodiversity, and adaptation to climate change in the AMU countries. In this context, further meetings will be held shortly between representatives of the AMU and IUCN to develop joint initiatives related to the issues identified. AMU is also considering to join IUCN as a Member.

During his mission to Rabat in May, the director of IUCN-Med, Antonio Troya, met with representatives of the High Commissariat for Water, Forests and Desertification (HCEFLCD) and IUCN Members in Morocco. These meetings provided an opportunity to review an array of IUCN-Med initiatives and activities underway and planned affecting the region, such as supporting the management of Al Hoceima National Park, the fair of birds in Morocco and the proposal for a new project under the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF). In this context, representatives of HCEFLCD reiterated their request to IUCN-Med for assistance in the establishment of a national Red List of threatened species in Morocco.

On the other hand, the meeting with IUCN Moroccan Members also helped to explain the progress on preparations for the next IUCN World Conservation Congress in Jeju from 6 to 15 September 2012 and the main events for the Mediterranean and North Africa region.

Strengthening cooperation with Libya

IUCN-Med mission to Rabat also allowed for a meeting with representatives from the Environmental General Authority (EGA) in Libya to strengthen cooperation between the two institutions and to discuss the support of IUCN-Med for the development of a national strategy for biodiversity conservation, and the organization of a national conference on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources in Libya.