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.
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 | 16 Mar, 2023
From cleaner oceans to thriving communities: the economic impacts of plastic pollution
With support from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad), the Plastic Waste Free Islands project focused on six islands in the Pacific and the Caribbean regions: Fiji, Samoa, Vanuatu, Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and Saint Lucia. Three new economic briefs for the Caribbean,…
Grey literature | 2022
The impacts of marine plastics on the fisheries and tourism sectors in 2019 were estimated for Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada and Saint Lucia. Impact estimates were based on both plastic accumulation and leakage into the marine environment from these countries and other countries bordering the…
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
Grey literature | 2022
This compilation brief is composed of three studies on the economic impacts of plastic pollution on tourism and fisheries in Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and Saint Lucia, estimating direct costs for the economy of each island. Governments of these islands have started to recognise the impacts…
Grey literature | 2022
The economic impact of plastic pollution in Antigua and Barbuda
This economic brief shows the estimated impact of marine plastic pollution on fisheries and tourism in Antigua and Barbuda. Marine plastic pollution can generate significant economic costs in the form of gross domestic product (GDP) reductions, estimated at up to US$7 billion (globally) for 2018…
Story | 09 Mar, 2022
UNEA Resolution - ‘End Plastic Pollution’ - and IUCN role in implementation of the Treaty
The new UNEA Resolution, ‘End Plastic Pollution: Towards a legally binding instrument’, establishes an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee that will develop the specific content of the new plastic pollution treaty with the aim of completing its work by the end…
Story | 02 Feb, 2022
Safeguarding the wetlands in the Buna delta
To celebrate the 2022 World Wetlands Day, the Living Buna project partners release two videos portraying the efforts of the local community to safeguard the wetlands in the Buna River delta in Albania.