Comunicado de prensa 24 Sep, 2024

IUCN welcomes Patricia Ricard as Patron of Nature

New York, 24 September 2024 - IUCN is honoured to welcome Ms Patricia Ricard as its newest Patron of Nature. Ms Ricard will join other conservation and philanthropy leaders, including H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco and renowned oceanographer Dr Sylvia Earle, to amplify IUCN’s voice globally for the conservation of biodiversity and the environment.

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Patricia Ricard is President of the Oceanographic Institute Paul Ricard since 2005 and has been actively engaged in environmental protection for over 30 years.

Under her Presidency she has made it a priority to bring light to the crucial balance of the nexus ocean-climate-biodiversity in addressing climate change and has devoted her energy to raise awareness among citizens and policy makers.

“I am thrilled to welcome Patricia Ricard to IUCN’s Patrons of Nature. We look forward to working together to accelerate our mission, with particular focus on protecting the health of our ocean and conserving and sustainably managing its precious resources”  said Dr Grethel Aguilar, IUCN Director General.

 “We are in the midst of a moment for the Ocean, with a number of important events coming up, leading to UNOC 3 in June 2025. Joining the Patrons of Nature and for the Institute to build event closer ties with IUCN are crucial steps in the pursuit of our common mission”, said Patricia Ricard.

I am honoured to welcome Patricia Ricard as a Patron of Nature at this pivotal moment. Her deep commitment to marine conservation and her leadership in bridging the gap between scientists and policymakers enrich our collective efforts. As we anticipate the Oceans Conference in Nice next year, our collaboration will be instrumental in underscoring the vital role of oceans in our global environmental agenda, said IUCN President, Razan Al Mubarak.

Ever since it was founded in 1966, the Paul Ricard Oceanographic Institute has been unique among oceanographic laboratories. It keeps watching over the Mediterranean, through a combination of research and awareness-raising to "understand, explain and protect the sea". The Institute operates on the model of public-private-philanthropic partnerships (PPPP) thanks to scientific patronage. It is a member of IUCN since 2022.

IUCN founded the Patrons of Nature in 2010 to rally global leaders and mobilise resources in support of the Union’s vision of a just world that values and conserves nature. Patrons of Nature provide strategic guidance to the Director General and generate investment for IUCN’s programmes as well as specific flagship initiatives.

Please click here for a full list of IUCN’s Patrons of Nature.