Biodiversity is the tapestry of life on which we all depend. We are capable, through positive action, of halting and reversing biodiversity loss. This International Day for Biodiversity reminds us of the need to protect Planet Earth, and IUCN reaffirms its commitment to Be part of the Plan.

Themed “Be part of the Plan” 2024 International Day for Biodiversity calls for all stakeholders to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. What is the role of the Biodiversity Task Force for the Western Balkans?

Climate change and biodiversity loss are two of the most important challenges and risks for human societies. But as the chairs of IUCN's seven expert Commissions write, the window of opportunity to address them is closing rapidly.

The RCF24ENCA is looking for 6 youth volunteers from Europe and North and Central Asia who are innovative thinkers and passionate about biodiversity, nature conservation, climate change, and sustainable development to join our team. These volunteers will help facilitate intergenerational events and manage meeting spaces throughout the Forum. Apply by 7 June!

An IUCN-led international partnership has launched the One Health Central Asia project, aiming to mitigate the risk of zoonoses – diseases that are naturally transmissible from animals to humans – in Central Asia. The new initiative was announced at the 14th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14), in the presence of government representatives from partnering countries – Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, the host country.

IUCN commends governments at the 14th meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the UN Convention on Migratory Species (CMS COP14) for having reached transformative decisions, including the adoption of the Samarkand Strategic Plan for Migratory Species 2024-2032, along with resolutions and decisions concerning deep-seabed mineral exploitation activities and their impact on migratory species. IUCN also celebrates the acknowledgment of the vital role played by Indigenous peoples and local communities in the conservation of migratory species, underscoring inclusive conservation efforts and practices.

Good news from North Macedonia! This February at the CMS COP14 conference in Uzbekistan the Balkan lynx was added to the list of migratory species. The proposal to include the Balkan lynx in Appendix I of the Convention was made by the Ministry of Environment and Physical Planning and the Macedonian Ecological Society and supported by the governments of Albania, Uzbekistan and Bosnia.

The piloting of the "Innovative Approach for Identification of Natura 2000 sites" in three pilot areas in Albania (Shkodra Lake, Vlora Bay and Shebenik National Park) was a positive experience, which not only facilitated the process of identifying potential Natura 2000 sites, but also created the appropriate conditions and instruments for initiating and continuing a constructive dialogue between the parties and various stakeholders in order to ensure sustainable management of the natural values of the area while preserve important habitats and species.

FAO, the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan and IUCN signed the Letter of Intent during the CMS COP14, committing to continue cooperation and expedite preparation of a Letter of Agreement for joint implementation of the “Food systems, land use and restoration impact program in Uzbekistan”, which is a part of the Global FOLUR Impact Program.

CENN, with the support of the United Nations Development Programme and Norway, and in partnership with the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture launched a project End Plastic Pollution in Georgia. The project aims to support  the authorities to increase the knowledge and capacity of stakeholders and the general public concerning circular models for plastic waste management.

The IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) has appointed Oliver Avramoski as its new Regional Director. Avramoski steps into this role at a pivotal time, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the IUCN ECARO office in Belgrade, Serbia.

In this year’s European Day of Parks, the EUROPARC Federation wants to highlight just how essential our Protected Areas are for the development and implementation of nature policies & their central role in ensuring a sustainable and resilient society for European citizens to live, work and enjoy. Let us all #VoteForNature and give some well-deserved support to our natural heritage. All information can be found here.

Discover the collaborative efforts and partnership behind the connectivity conservation that benefits the environment and local communities.

As human-wildlife conflicts become more frequent, serious and widespread worldwide, they are notoriously challenging to resolve, and many efforts to address these conflicts struggle to make progress. These Guidelines provide an essential guide to understanding and resolving human-wildlife conflict. They have been developed for use by conservation practitioners, community leaders, decision-makers, researchers, government officers and others. Focusing on approaches and tools for analysis and decision-making, they are not limited to any particular species or region of the world. Available also in Russian.

#WorldEnvironmentDay #GenerationRestoration

World Environment Day 

#United4Land #DesertificationandDroughtDay

Desesrtification and Drought Day themed “United for land. Our Legacy. Our Future”

#WorldRangerDay

World Ranger Day

IUCN Commissions are broad and active networks of scientists and experts providing IUCN and its Members with sound know-how and policy advice to drive conservation and sustainable development. By joining one of them you are entering a committed community from around the world and across a wide range of disciplines. 

By joining IUCN, you will benefit from IUCN's scientific credibility, its unsurpassed knowledge base and convening power, extensive networking opportunities and access to high-level political, economic and social decision making. Being a Member of IUCN enables you to advance own cause and to strengthen common action in overcoming barriers to a sustainable future.