Ecuador is home to 19 Ramsar wetlands that are internationally recognised for their ecological, social, and climatic importance. Several Ramsar wetlands in Ecuador fall within protected areas that are either already Green List-certified or in the process of certification. These ecosystems play a crucial role in water regulation, the conservation of key species, and the livelihoods of local communities. 

"Guidance on OECMs", focuses on Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures(OECMs), which are managed areas that provide effective conservation of biodiversity – despite it not being the primary goal. OECMs can be managed for different objectives – such as protecting areas of cultural or historical importance – while delivering conservation outcomes. 

The recommendations for the Albanian Government inform collective decision-making by providing an objective and unbiased rapid assessment report. The recommended scenarios have used IUCN Mitigation Hierarchy methodologies, as agreed and requested by the Ministry of Tourism and Environment, with support by the German Embassy to Albania.

“As residents of Antigua and Guatemalans, we are proud that our city, a World Heritage site, has been chosen to host the IUCN Council. This event will transform our city into the hub for key strategic decision-making on global issues critical to human development, such as biodiversity, protected areas, the environment, and environmental policies,” stated Juan Manuel Asturias, Mayor of Antigua Guatemala.

Cyclone Chido serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability of islands like Mayotte to extreme weather events. Despite communication challenges, the French Biodiversity Agency has managed to contact beneficiaries of the BESTLIFE2030 Programme on the ground. While the damage is predominantly material, the immediate priority is addressing humanitarian needs, particularly ensuring access to clean water, food, and shelter. 

This working paper explores concepts, considerations, and approaches to advance rights in the context of area-based conservation. Target 3 implementation needs to uphold cross-cutting provisions of the GBF. These include commitments to: full, equitable, inclusive, effective, and gender responsive participation; recognition and respect for the rights and contributions of Indigenous Peoples and local communities; gender equality; inter-generational equity; protection of environmental human rights defenders; and a human rights-based approach
to implementation.

National and regional ICCA registries – which collate, store and analyse information on ICCAs – territories of life in a given country or region – serve as valuable tools for Indigenous Peoples and local communities. These registries support the collation of local documentation efforts and build an evidence base for advocating for the recognition and support of territories of life. This article introduces the reasons for, and steps involved in creating a national or regional ICCA registry, though it is not an exhaustive guide. UNEP-WCMC can provide training and advice on setting up a national or regional ICCA registry.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature, Regional Office for West Asia, is pleased to announce the addition of six new sites and one re-listing from the Middle East - West Asia MEWA region to the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas. These sites, spanning Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Lebanon, and the United Arab Emirates, join the global network of protected areas recognized for their equitable governance and effective management. “The IUCN Green List continues to grow, with the addition of new sites and the renewal of existing ones worldwide, serving as a key tool for advancing the implementation of the CBD Global Biodiversity Framework. The success of these sites highlights their value to both nature and local communities while inspiring others to pursue similar objectives, thereby contributing significantly to achieving the 30x30 target for area-based conservation by 2030.” -Dr. Hany El Shaer, Regional Director of IUCN ROWA.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN South America) and the World Wide Fund for Nature – Ecuador (WWF) signed a strategic agreement to integrate innovative conservation standards within key protected areas in the country. This joint effort seeks to strengthen the protection of emblematic species such as the jaguar and river dolphins, as well as to position Ecuador as a benchmark in the sustainable management of biodiversity. It should be noted that since 2018 WWF-Ecuador has developed two relevant tools called Assured Conservation Standards: the JAGS focused on jaguars and the CARDS on river dolphins. Within the framework of this agreement, these tools will be articulated to Component 4 of the IUCN Green List Certification, with the aim of strengthening the planning and management of these protected areas.

"Indigenous peoples have been developing a system of use, management and conservation, particularly of wetlands. These are sacred areas for the indigenous peoples, very important for the development of culture. We have a vision, we have a worldview that interrelates and balances Mother Nature, humans and the universe. This balance is necessary at the moment to strengthen these conservation systems, so that these areas continue to be conserved, so that these areas demonstrate that they are resilient to climate change"- Ramiro Batzín, IUCN Vice-President.

BESTLIFE2030 (Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Territories of European Overseas) is a granting mechanism focusing on preserving and restoring biodiversity in the EU’s Outermost Regions (ORs) and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), which host rich biodiversity but also face significant climate change threats. The project, spanning six regions worldwide, i.e. Amazonia, Caribbean, Indian Ocean, Macaronesia, Pacific, and North Atlantic, engages a consortium of experts to guide and empower local stakeholders in implementing conservation projects, thus emphasizing capacity development, local community engagement and knowledge sharing.

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