The Mediterranean at the IUCN Regional Conservation Forum for Europe and Central Asia

Protected Areas

The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation played a key role in multiple parallel sessions, facilitating thematic dialogues on how to protect and conserve areas to meet Target 3, enhance protected area management effectiveness, and assess progress towards 2030 conservation goals. The team also presented the advancements of the Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas in Europe and Central Asia, in collaboration with the IUCN French National Committee, and outlined future plans to support conservation sites. 

IUCN

EU's Neighbourhood and Enlargement policies 

In addition, the forum provided a space for key meetings, including discussions between the director of IUCN-Med, Maher Mahjoub, and representatives from the EU’s Neighbourhood and Enlargement team (DG NEAR). These discussions centred on strengthening cooperation for Mediterranean climate resilience projects with special focus on North Africa and civil society and supporting the EU's Mediterranean Agenda. Further talks with Catalonian authorities, new General Director of Environmental Policies and the Natural Environment of the Generalitat de Catalunya, focused on fostering the role of subnational governments to promote sustainable cities and territories in the Mediterranean region. The network of Mediterranean for climate change, led by Catalunya, was highlighted as a sample of collaboration for sharing experience on climate resilience, at regional and local level. 

Additionally, IUCN-Med team co-organized a session focused on innovative technology and digital solutions to scale up fair and effective conservation actions for both areas and species. Various digital tools were highlighted, including the Tech4Nature partnership, which showcased its application in Spain for visitor and wildlife monitoring within protected areas. 

This is part of the work developed by IUCN-Med in the implementation of the European programme on protected areas and to explore new funding opportunities in support of the IUCN programme. 

IUCN

Pollinator Conservation: Advancing the National Red List Initiative 

A hybrid workshop was also organised in the form of a buzzing table by IUCN and other partners as part of the Horizon 2020 Safeguard research project (WP1), devoted to National Red List for Pollinators. The IUCN-Med’s and Euro teams are members of this partnership which aims at evaluating and conserving pollinator populations, with a specific focus on the National Red List of Pollinators. The presentations on the success stories and lessons learned from the Netherlands and Spain helped foster a discussion among key stakeholders to reflect on and explore the latest advancements. 

The Regional Conservation Fora serve as vital platforms for IUCN Members, Commissions, and the Secretariat to prepare for the upcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress. They also provide an important space for networking, fundraising, presenting results, and discussing sustainable development issues and conservation priorities from both global and regional perspectives. 

The IUCN-Med’s director facilitated one of the discussions with Members and key stakeholders during the RCF on the draft IUCN Programme of Work (2026-2029) and the first IUCN 20 year vision strategy. Both documents will be formally adopted at the World Conservation Congress 2025. “Seeking inputs from the delegates is central to reach consensus on the role and impact of IUCN in the coming years, while strengthening IUCN's position as a leading environmental organisation”, says Maher Mahjoub. 

IUCN

Discover the RCF24ENCA programme