Unsustainable farming is challenging the survival of Mediterranean dung beetles

MEET launches its first online training to develop Ecotourism in protected areas

The free training modules aim to build the capacities of staff in protected areas, as well as of other relevant stakeholders from the Conservation and Tourism sectors (tourism boards, tour operators, sustainable tourism associations). Visit the training modules and register on conservationtraining.org.

Algeria and Morocco acknowledge biodiversity in Cultural Parks, Biosphere & Hunting reserves

Algeria makes a big step towards Aichi target 11 by recognizing five Cultural Parks as “Other Effective Conservation Measures” (OECMs). The designated land will grow by 1 Million Km2. Morocco will also be adding 130,000 Km2 by acknowledging its Biosphere reserves and hunting reserves

Sharing experiences of cooperation with the private sector at the CMS Energy Task Force

IUCN-Med presented their work results regarding raptors and power lines in North Africa and the Atlas Project as a successful example of minimising the impacts of energy developments on migratory species at the 5th Multi-Stakeholder Energy Task Force meeting, organised by the Convention on Migratory Species.

Harmonising a Mediterranean response to the Pinna Nobilis mortality outbreak

An online session facilitated by IUCN-Med presented the monitoring results and progress from different Mediterranean institutions to recover the critically endangered (CR) populations of Pinna Nobilis, recently included on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

A shift towards the sustainable management of Posidonia beaches

From November 10th  to 11th, coastal managers, protected area experts, researchers and other administrations gathered for the online capacity building workshop aimed to highlight the value of natural Mediterranean landscaped beaches with Posidonia oceanica.

How Mediterranean actors are applying Blue Carbon actions for climate change mitigation

On December 9th and 10th, key experts working in the European and Mediterranean regions gathered to examine trends and impacts of climate change on coastal wetlands and seagrasses and present projects of blue carbon restoration.

Foundation of the first Observatory for Nature-based Solutions in Spain

The Conama Foundation launches this pioneering initiative to collect successful examples of Nature-based Solutions (NbS) in cities in Spain in collaboration with IUCN-Med. The NbS Observatory aims to disseminate the NbS standard recently presented by IUCN and will promote its practical application.

IUCN and CIFAL-Unitar will jointly build capacities in the field of sustainable development

The two entities will collaborate in Málaga (Spain) to develop joint training programmes, courses, conferences and more. The activities will focus on disseminating the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in accordance with Agenda 2030.

In Chott El Jérid (Tunisia) ecotourism & local development contribute to protect ecosystems

Through the creation of ecotourism tours, the association IRADA for the Development of Tozeur, Tunisia, has succeeded in influencing decisions such as the closure of an uncontrolled landfill, creating employment for several families and providing additional income for people working in the tourism sector. 

MedBycatch 2 - Understanding Mediterranean bycatch of vulnerable marine species

Based on the experience gained in Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey during the Medbycatch phase 1 (2017-2020), Medbycatch 2 will expand the geographical scope of the project to include Croatia and Italy. France and Spain will also be included in policy and advocacy activities.

The potential of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures in the Arab Region

Despite the challenges posed by COVID-19, IUCN-Med ended the year with a meeting to discuss the potential Potential OECMs in the Arab Region and what opportunities they offer post-2020. Participants reviewed the recent success of Algeria and Morocco in recognizing five Cultural Parks as OECMs.

IUCN Congress motions