Story | 28 Jun, 2024
Protected and Conserved Area leaders from across Eastern and Southern Africa and the Pacific came together to share progress, lessons learnt and best practices towards achieving local and international conservation goals, under the Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management (BIOPAMA) initiative…
Publication | 2024
The state of protected and conserved areas in Eastern and Southern Africa : second edition
This second edition of The state of protected and conserved areas in Eastern and Southern Africa builds on the first edition published in 2020 and provides updates on how the region is managing and governing protected and conserved areas, effectively providing a regional update on the progress…
Story | 08 Nov, 2023
Through a multi-day engagement with local women, men, girls and boys, as well as rangers and Sheikhs from the reserve's surrounding communities, IUCN ensured a space for the voices of local peoples in the future management of AlUla’s largest nature reserve.
News | 28 Jul, 2023
High-level document explains why nature-positive initiatives must be fast-tracked, with RCU’s concept of Comprehensive Regeneration in AlUla highlighted as a model for responsible development through the key principles of respect for landscape, culture and heritage.
Released on the…
Story | 27 Jul, 2023
Inspiring places: why are national parks so important to the people of Kenya?
When Kenya’s first post-independence leader, Jomo Kenyatta, gazetted what is now known as Nairobi National Park for the exclusive use by wildlife, he had this to say:
“The natural resources of this country – its wildlife, which offers such an attraction to visitors from all…
Story | 29 Jun, 2023
Vjosa, a National Park in the making
A number of national and international experts and relevant authorities visited the Vjosa River Valley in Albania on a study tour this June, making the first steps towards building an effectively conserved and managed, and equitably governed Vjosa Wild River National Park.
News | 31 May, 2023
KSRNR, Saudi Arabia, 29 May 2023 – King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve development authority, which is Restoring degraded ecosystems and conserves habitats and wildlife, has been officially announced as a government member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN…
Press release | 15 Mar, 2023
Vjosa, one of our last wild rivers, becomes Europe's first Wild River National Park
Today, the Vjosa River in Albania, one of the last wild rivers of Europe is declared a National Park by the Albanian Government, becoming the first Wild River National Park in Europe. In future, the Vjosa will be conserved as a living, free-flowing river, to the benefit of people and nature.…
Story | 13 Feb, 2023
Commitments to save the Blue Heart of Europe
Freshwater conservation was in the focus at the CBD COP15 Biodiversity Summit in Montreal, when IUCN hosted a side event on “Conserving the Vjosa-Aoos River”, with participation of Mr. Ryan Gellert, CEO Patagonia, H.E. Dr Mirela Kumbaro, Minister of Tourism and Environment, Albania, H.E. Mr.
Story | 13 Feb, 2023
Vision, roadmap and feasibility study presented for pioneering freshwater conservation in Albania
A vision, roadmap and feasibility study for the protection of the Vjosa River and its free-flowing tributaries under the IUCN Category II management classification, have been presented