The project "Enhancement of biodiversity key areas in North Africa, through the involvement of civil society's organizations for their management and protection" was recently presented in Morocco and Algeria by the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation team. Involving Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia, this subregional project aims at improving the management and governance of protected areas and key biodiversity areas in the Mediterranean. The project is funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) in the framework of its strategic direction "Improving the conservation and the protection status of 44 Key Biodiversity Areas".

The launching workshops in Algeria and Morocco have allowed IUCN to agree the next steps in these two countries in collaboration with the governmental institutions and NGOs linked to biodiversity conservation. In both cases, more than 40 participants attended the meeting, which allowed for presenting the content of the project, identifying key players in the implementation process, and defining their contribution to make the project succeed.

In the first workshop (Algeria, 21- 22 January 2014), participants agreed on four major lines as a guide for the project actions. The Djurdjura National Park was chosen as a key area for biodiversity to develop the project activities. A similar workshop was organized on 19 March in Morocco with the Toubkal and Ifrane National Parks identified by the Moroccan participants. Scientific committees should be established to monitor relevant conservation actions.

By bringing its experience on biodiversity key areas enhancement and protection, IUCN-Med makes its contribution to the investment strategy of the CEPF in North African countries and highlights the importance of the role of civil society in the management of biodiversity key areas.

To know more about the Algerian working group click here.

To know more about the Moroccan working group click here.

For more information: Maher Mahjoub

Photo: UICN-Med. National Park of Djurdjura (Algeria)