Story | 02 May, 2023
IUCN shows its commitment towards sustainable tourism at a key moment for nature in Albania
After the successful declaration of Vjosa Wild River National Park, Albania faces the challenge to reconcile tourism growth with the preservation of vulnerable natural areas, particularly in coastal zones. To help position Albania as a global leading destination for sustainable tourism, IUCN-Med…
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
Story | 01 Feb, 2023
SADC TFCA Financing Facility - stories from the front lines
The year 2022 brought hope for recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. For the first time since the establishment of the Facility in 2020, travel opened up across borders, increasing momentum for the implementation of projects in Transfrontier Conservation Areas, including the TFCA Financing…
Story | 01 Feb, 2023
26 potential sites of conservation interest identified in Libya with support of the GEF MedProgramme
Last 26th January IUCN-Med in collaboration with SPA/RAC and WWF-North Africa organised a national workshop in Tripoli with the support of the Nature Conservation Department of the Libyan Ministry of Environment. The goal of the workshop was to present the results of the field survey conducted…
Story | 22 Dec, 2022
Indigenous Women’s Insights – Stewarding the Earth
In November, all along the busy maze of pavilion buildings in Sharm el Sheik, an estimated 45,000 people snaked along corridors hoping to inform crucial discussions surrounding climate policy at the United Nations Framework Climate Change Convention’s 27th Conference of Parties (UNFCCC COP 27).…
Story | 06 Dec, 2022
The Restoration Initiative: A Tanzania story
The Restoration Initiative United Republic of Tanzania project to begin vital restoration work in 2022
Story | 07 Oct, 2022
World Rivers Day 2022: Protecting the free-flowing Aoos-Vjosa River in Greece and Albania
Around this year’s World Rivers Day on 25 September, a number of events and activities were held along the Aoos-Vjosa River in Greece and Albania to promote transboundary collaboration and protection of this unique river system, from its source to the sea.
Press release | 07 Oct, 2022
Protecting the Aoos-Vjosa River and its tributaries
On World Rivers Day 2022, project partners for ‘Saving the last free-flowing wild river in Europe: Aoos/Vjosa’ were in Greece to promote protection of the Aoos and Vjosa Rivers, from the headwaters in Greece to the Albanian coast.