Story 23 Jul, 2025

New recognition for IUCN Med – For a Blue Economy in the Mediterranean

In Málaga, with the Mediterranean as background, IUCN Med has received an award during the sixth edition of the Proa 2025 Awards – the Sea and Sustainable Blue Economy Awards presented annually by the Andalusian Maritime-Marine Cluster (CMMA) – held in Málaga on July 22 in the presence of research bodies, public administrations, NGOs, and companies in the sector.

Photo: CMMA

The Cluster has recognized the best maritime and marine initiatives in the Andalusian autonomous community and internationally. The Proa 2025 Awards acknowledge innovation, sustainability, and excellence in the Blue Economy among companies, institutions, and individuals in Andalusia and showcase their talent to the world, highlighting the region as a benchmark.

Sustainability, Environment and Nature Award

The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation is proud to have received the 2025 Sustainability Award, which is given to organizations that stand out for their active contribution to sustainable development, environmental protection, and effective protection of the marine environment and its biodiversity. Andrés Alcántara, IUCN Med representative who collected the award, stated during the ceremony: “At IUCN, we firmly believe that there can be no economic development without nature. Marine natural capital—life on our coasts and oceans—is not just another resource: it is the cornerstone of all resilience and lasting prosperity in the region.”

In his closing remarks, the Regional Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, acknowledged the work being done by the Centre for the Mediterranean in Andalusia. IUCN Med's work focuses on nature conservation and the promotion of sustainable use of resources in the region, driving initiatives that protect biodiversity and generate social and economic benefits, serving as an example of respect for nature and raising awareness about sustainability.

The Proa 2025 Awards, in their sixth edition, were sponsored by the regional ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development of the Andalusian Regional Government (Junta de Andalucía) and enjoyed the support and collaboration of Tourism and Planning Costa del Sol; Unicaja Bank; the Málaga Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Services, and Shipping; and the Andalusian Business Confederation (CEA).

The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation

Since its creation in 2001 in Malaga with the support of the then Spanish Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of the Environment of the Regional Government of Andalusia, IUCN Med has networked with more than 250 Member organizations from 24 countries in the Mediterranean basin and has more than 2,200 experts Member of IUCN Commissions. In accordance with its regulations, IUCN Med specifically supports its Members in Spain, our host country, and in North African countries, while its thematic programme of work is carried out throughout the Mediterranean and internationally.

In 2024, IUCN Med continued to strengthen its role in conservation policies by actively participating in key international and regional events and in sectoral and institutional debates, with an active participation in international fora including the Barcelona Convention of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) of the FAO, the Union for the Mediterranean (UFM), through actions and projects on climate change and the blue economy, as well as promoting Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) with the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA).

The IUCN Med Secretariat is comprised of a team of professionals working alongside IUCN Members, their Commissions, and multiple local, regional, national, and international stakeholders to contribute to projects and initiatives on marine biodiversity and the blue economy with the aim of improving practices and policies, management measures, and governance frameworks to better manage marine and deep-sea ecosystems, reduce threats to them, and contribute to achieving conservation objectives for the Mediterranean.

Our thanks to the Andalusian Maritime-Marine Cluster, with whom we will continue working to achieve more sustainable goals in Andalusia and globally.

About our marine programme: Marine Biodiversity and Blue Economy | IUCN

More about IUCN and the Blue Economy: New IUCN report shows way toward Regenerative Blue Economy - News | IUCN

Check IUCN Med Annual Report 2024: Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza : Centro de Cooperación del Mediterráneo informe anual 2024 | IUCN Library System