IUCN and the Arab Union for the Maghreb have signed a Memorandum of Understanding in Rabat on 18 March 2014 to promote cooperation between both institutions as to create and implement joint initiatives in the field of conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity in the Maghreb countries.

Priority collaboration areas identified concerns the protection and sustainable management of oasis, conservation of marine biodiversity, and protection of biodiversity in mountains.

The Secretary General of the UMA, Mr. Habib Ben Yahya, and the IUCN-Med Director, Mr. Antonio Troya, shook hands to celebrate this Memorandum of Understanding leading to the strengthening of relations between the two organizations by developing joint activities in North Africa. This general framework for cooperation will be reinforced by new agreements for the implementation of concrete projects.

UMA is a sub-regional intergovernmental organization, founded in 1989, and gathers five countries of the Maghreb region: Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco and Mauritania. The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation opened in 2001, and a specific programme for Africa was established in 2008. This programme is implemented by the IUCN-Med Secretariat, located in Malaga, hand in hand with the IUCN Members and experts from the IUCN Commissions in North Africa and in the Mediterranean.

For further information: Maher Mahjoub

Photo: UICN-Med. Handshake between General Secretary of UMA, M. Habib Ben Yahya, and IUCN-Med Director, Monsieur Antonio Troya, after the signature of the MoU.