Eastern Europe and Central Asia

A region highly diverse, both in its culture, traditions and languages and in its natural values and ecological features. To help build a more sustainable future, IUCN focuses on good governance, protection of biodiversity and effective and equitable use of natural resources, while advocating diverse partnerships and dialogue, and linking science, policy and action.

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A   highly diverse region

The region harbors four biodiversity hotspots, the world’s most biodiverse and threatened areas. Spanning the North Pacific, the Arctic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, encompassing the steppes, deserts and mountains of Central Asia, the lush forests of South Caucasus and the karst ecosystems, underground freshwater and wetlands of the Western Balkans - this vast region hosts an exceptional
array of globally important and threatened species. It is known for the presence of some of the most iconic large mammals, such as the Siberian Tiger, Snow and Persian Leopards, Polar Bear, European Bison, Saiga Antelope, Argali Sheep, Orca or Beluga Whale. 

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8 of 14

world biomes
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are found in our region

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963

species in the region
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are threatened with extinction

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about 4.17%

of the global population
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inhabits the region

Our work 

The IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (IUCN ECARO) was established in 2015 with a view to supporting IUCN constituency and implementing the IUCN Programme in most countries of the IUCN Statutory Region East Europe, North and Central Asia. The office is based in Belgrade, Serbia, where IUCN was initially represented through the IUCN Programme Office for South-Eastern Europe (IUCN SEE) as of 2004. Since our establishment, we are working to:

  • Help shape and ensure proper implementation of environmental policy at all levels;
  • Promote and apply IUCN knowledge products and standards across the region;
  • Introduce innovative approaches to nature conservation and governance of natural resources; and
  • Support institutional strengthening and capacity building for the effective conservation of biodiversity and nature's use.

Our objective

  • The long-term protection of biodiversity and the sustainable use of natural resources. 

We will achieve it by

  • Safeguarding species and building effective protected and conserved areas;
  • Assuring effective and equitable governance of natural resources, and promoting gender equality and community-based approaches; and 
  • Demonstrating the benefits of nature and providing guidance related to the implementation of Nature-based Solutions.
Imre Sebestyen
A forest, Biogradska gora, Montenegro
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Join the regional partnership for biodiversity of South-East Europe

Biodiversity Task Force of South East-Europe (SEE) invites like-minded agencies, organisations and initiatives focused on strengthening on-the-ground conservation action in the SEE region, to express their interest to join this partnership as…

Meet our members and partners in the region

Besides being our key partners in action, the Members are shaping our regional direction and work plan. Strengthening and enlarging our membership and knowledge base remains one of our priorities in the region.