More than 60 experts on marine protected areas gathered at Hurghada on the Egyptian Red Sea coast on 19-21 January, in a symposium organized by the IUCN Regional Office for Western Asia (ROWA) and supported by the Arab League. The aim of the conference was to establish a process for preparing a regional strategy and action plan in the Arab world to support new marine protected areas and good management practices, and to promote cross-sector coordination.

The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation and the Network of Marine Protected Area Managers in the Mediterranean (MedPAN) were invited to participate and share the Mediterranean experience with colleagues from the West Asia region.

The contribution of Arab countries to meeting Aichi Target 11-conserving 10% of marine areas through effectively and equitably managed protected areas- was the core of the discussion. Other challenges in the region were also identified, such as the threat of marine invasive species and the enforcement of the ballast water regulations, as well as the implementation of migratory and endangered species conservation measures according to international conventions.

After four intensive days of work, the experts drafted a preliminary version of a regional strategy and a joint declaration. Both documents will be made available very soon.

For further information: Alain Jeudy

Photo: Ras Mohamed National Park, Egypt. © V. Tilot