Story | 23 Apr, 2021

Chile and IUCN kick off a historic process for the country’s National System of Protected Areas

The National Forestry and Parks Agency (CONAF) of Chile and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), on the occasion of International Earth Day 2021, are beginning a historic process towards a new era in managing the country's National System of Protected Areas (SNASPE).

Sea lion dives on Isla Choros, Chile

Photo: James Hardcastle

CONAF and IUCN have agreed to start a formal and gradual IUCN Green List certification, marking the first time that successful nature conservation will be recognised using an international standard in the southern cone of South America.

The IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas Standard promotes professionalism in managing protected areas while using transparent criteria and international standards for governance and equity, design and planning, and effective management to achieve successful conservation results. The certification aims to aid national governments as well as other stakeholders in conservation, in their efforts to meet global targets for nature conservation, including the new Global Biodiversity Framework for 2021-2030.

This agreement also supports the fulfillment of Chilean President Sebastián Piñera's program on "Great Bicentennial Parks", which seeks to raise Chile's national park governance and management to an international standard.

Learn more about this exciting news on the IUCN Green List website.