News | 01 Mar, 2024
The project “Strengthening Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) policies and institutional frameworks through demonstrable models in Saint Lucia” was launched this week in Castries, Saint Lucia, by the Government of Saint Lucia, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the…
Story | 20 Nov, 2023
The Plastic Waste Free Islands (PWFI) Project, a four-year global initiative, comes to an end leaving important contributions by promoting island circular economy and demonstrating effective, quantifiable solutions to address plastic waste leakage in Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
News | 07 Sep, 2023
Safeguarding vital forests in Albania and North Macedonia for the benefit of nature and people
In collaboration with the Macedonian Ecological Society (MES) and Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania (PPNEA), with the support of the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning, Republic of North Macedonia, a new project “Northern Forests Initiative: Forest…
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.
Story | 05 May, 2023
Western Balkan Officials on Nature-based Solutions Study Tour to Bonn
Four days of diverse, interesting, and interactive activities brought together decision-makers, practitioners, and policymakers from the Western Balkans and representatives from affiliated UN and government institutions to the City of Bonn to exchange and explore the role of Nature-based…
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 | 16 Mar, 2023
A new report from the IUCN Plastic Waste Free Islands project answers the question, “What are key human rights issues arising from plastic pollution in the tourism, fisheries, and waste management sectors in the PWFI islands and how do these issues impact men and women differently?”
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,…
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.