The world’s largest environmental network, IUCN, proudly welcomes the Republic of Tajikistan as its 88th State Member. The announcement was made at the International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation, hosted in Dushanbe, underscoring the country’s leadership in putting glacier conservation and water management at the centre of global environmental dialogue. 

The Institute of Botany of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan, in collaboration with IUCN, welcomed participants from across the country to the first national training on applying the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. The workshop helped increase national capacity for assessing species extinction risk and support evidence-based biodiversity conservation, while further reinforcing Uzbekistan’s growing contribution to global conservation efforts.

IUCN participated in the High-Level International Conference on Glaciers' Preservation in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, 29-31 May, calling for urgent action to safeguard glacier ecosystems as critical assets for climate regulation, water security, biodiversity, and regional stability.

We are excited to invite you to join the new IUCN Eastern Europe and Central Asia Telegram channel, launched to mark the opening of our regional office in Tashkent. Stay connected for the latest updates, opportunities, and insights from across the region!

Each year, on 22 May, the world observes the International Day for Biological Diversity, a moment to reflect on the vital role biodiversity plays in sustaining life on Earth. The 2025 theme, Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development, highlights how healthy ecosystems underpin human well-being, prosperity, and resilience. How is IUCN supporting biodiversity in Eastern Europe and Central Asia?

Albania has officially taken its first step towards joining the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, the first global standard of best practice for equitable and effective area-based conservation. The Green List process was launched on 17 June in Tirana, led by IUCN in close cooperation with the Ministry of Tourism and Environment and the National Agency of Protected Areas (NAPA).

In 2024, the Balkan Detox LIFE (LIFE19 GIE/NL/001016) contributed to nature conservation efforts in North Macedonia by addressing wildlife crimes through targeted workshops for relevant inspectorates, public prosecutors, representatives of protected areas and hunting societies.

A key achievement was the legal adoption of the Standard Operational Protocol for wildlife poisoning by the State Environmental Inspectorate. This document aims to clarify roles and responsibilities for addressing these crimes.

A blog by Tommaso Demozzi, IUCN Biodiversity Policy Officer

In the context of the Green Agenda for Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine (GUMA) project, IUCN delegation visited Yerevan for the launch of the National Comprehensive Green Transition Assessment Report for Armenia and to deliver a public talk on the country’s upcoming role as host of COP17 under the Convention of Biological Diversity.

This June, the quiet banks of the Danube near Fetesti, Romania, became a powerful symbol of hope for one of the world’s most ancient and endangered fish families. Over 1,500 Russian sturgeons (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) and 15 Beluga sturgeons (Huso huso), each weighing about 4 kg, were released into the river, marking a significant step forward in restoring populations and preserving the Danube’s unique biodiversity.

The Kyrgyz Republic unveiled a regionally significant ecological corridor, safeguarding 800,000 hectares of critical habitat for wildlife. The "Ak Ilbirs" corridor is the largest corridor of its kind in the country and links three state nature reserves in the Issyk-Kul and Naryn regions. It aims to secure migration routes for rare species such as snow leopard, ibex, argali, brown bear and red deer in the face of a changing climate and overgrazing by livestock. Inside the corridor, these threats will be mitigated through sustainable land use practices, including reducing grazing density and promoting ecotourism. The corridor outlines were based on scientific models run by Humboldt University in Berlin within the framework of UNEP’s Central Asian Mammals and Climate Adaptation (CAMCA) project, funded by the German International Climate Initiative. 

Farmers Anife and Samet in Trebište on the slopes of Mavrovo National Park in North Macedonia, successfully produced the first certified organic mountain tea on a 1000 m² plot. This tea is significant as it is listed on North Macedonia's Red List of endangered species.
The success was made possible through a grant under the "Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in Shar, Korab-Koritnik, and the Albanian Alps" project, implemented by CNVP and financially supported by PONT.

Public Enterprise for National Parks of Montenegro is implementing the ForestConnect project within the EU Interreg Danube Region program, to address common challenges and needs in the protection and preservation of ecological corridors for large carnivores in the Balkan-Carpathian-Dinaric Region. This project is being implemented on the territory of Montenegro in three National Parks (Durmitor, Biogradska Gora and Prokletije).

People are at the core of IUCN’s vision for a just, resilient, and sustainable future. Conservation can only succeed when rooted in human rights, social equity, and inclusive governance. How is IUCN working to strengthen natural resource governance and promote inclusive, community-led conservation in Eastern Europe and Central Asia? 

The Vevchani Springs have become a center for educational activities, where students explore nature through research and interactive workshops. The permanent exhibition "Journey Through the Natural Treasures" provides an up-close introduction to the flora and fauna of Mount Jablanica and the Vevchani Springs, while field studies examine protected areas. Students learned about recycling through 3D printing, created sustainable projects, and participated in activities to preserve forests and water sources. Creativity was reflected in art, the creation of murals, and the restoration of public spaces. This experience inspired curiosity, a love for nature, and new ideas.

In northern Albania’s Pashtrik-Morina region, restoration efforts are underway to revive degraded forests and pastures through the Northern Forest Initiative. Two cooperation agreements have been signed with local companies to implement these works in the municipalities of Has and Tropoja.

The reforestation of Bukovik marks a vital step in restoring native forest ecosystems and protecting the critically endangered Balkan lynx. With 21,000 beech seedlings being planted through joint efforts of ecologists and foresters, this action strengthens a key biocorridor and revives a natural habitat. It’s a long-term investment in biodiversity, climate resilience, and the future of one of the lynx’s last remaining strongholds in the Balkans.

Korab-Koritnik Nature Park faces threats to its ecosystems as herding traditions decline due to migration and land abandonment. The project "Sustainable Grazing for the Preservation of Vital Grasslands Ecosystems," led by INCA and Agro-Eko Dibra, works to protect alpine pastures by improving herders’ conditions, diversifying incomes, and addressing human-wildlife conflicts. Meetings with herders in park area is pivotal to assess pasture habitats’ conservation and socio-economic challenges to tackle grazing activity decline effectively.

On 17 June 2025, the UN Desertification and Drought Day is observed worldwide. It is a reminder of the critical challenges facing dryland ecosystems globally, as well as the many opportunities. Interested in learning about Dryland NbS in action, including in Burkina Faso, Georgia, and Kenya? 

IUCN is seeking an experienced biodiversity expert to develop the report that will support the implementation of Pillar 5 of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and contribute to the development of the Western Balkans 2030 Biodiversity Strategic Plan. Request for Proposals closes on 25 August.

Applications are open for the Klaus Toepfer Fellowship Programme — a unique opportunity for early-career conservation professionals from Central and Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. The programme offers tailored training, leadership development, and regional networking, with strong support for continued engagement with home institutions. Apply by 1 September.

At a World Environment Day celebration in Kyrgyzstan, CAMP Alatoo, IUCN Member, was recognised for its outstanding work in nature conservation and sustainable development. Director Murat Zhumashev received the Medal for Cooperation from the Ministry of Natural Resources, highlighting the Foundation’s strong environmental partnerships. Congrats to Camp Alatoo!

What began as a call to protect the Vjosa River in Albania evolved into the broader concept of creating a national park, and protect the river from development. Besi and Olsi initiated a multi-faceted, awareness-raising campaign, engaging the international scientific community, applying pressure on the Albanian government, and drawing global attention to the efforts to keep the Vjosa running freely.

Emphasis is placed on sectors in Armenia that are most critical for long-term sustainability and alignment with European standards. The report provides a high-level analysis of sectoral dynamics within the country, outlining key challenges, assessing financial requirements, and highlighting opportunities for enhanced cooperation in support of an effective and equitable green transition in Armenia.

EUROPARC Conference

Protected Area professionals are invited to the EUROPARC Conference, taking place in Birštonas, Lithuania! Under the theme “Nature for People, People for Nature”, the conference will explore the vital role of Protected Areas in nature restoration. An interactive programme will highlight the deep interdependence between people and nature and seek to answer the key question: How can Protected Areas restore nature at scale and sustain biodiversity?

#IUCNcongress

The Congress Forum is taking shape and is set to deliver a jam-packed programme! Get ready for a range of high-level dialogues, thematic plenaries, debates, speedy learning and deep dive sessions. 

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