IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

In 2010, IUCN launched the EU Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories Programme with the support of the Government of France to advance the implementation of the Message from Reunion Island - a series of concrete actions to protect biodiversity, economies and diverse ways of life of Europe overseas.

1. to raise awareness of Europe overseas' biodiversity and climate change issues with the EU and the international community to facilitate their integration into policies and programmes,
2. to actively promote collaboration in those regions where Europe overseas are located, and
3. to build the capacity of Europe overseas in biodiversity conservation and adaptation to climate change.

1. Information exchange, dialogue, advocacy and coordination between Europe overseas actors:

• communication tools (website, newsletter, and online discussion forum),
• convening of a Europe overseas multi-stakeholder working group on biodiversity and climate change,
• facilitate dialogue and joint activities between Europe overseas and countries in their regions, and
• advocacy of Europe overseas' biodiversity and climate change issues in EU and international fora.

2. Strategic and technical reviews in Europe overseas to inform EU and international policies and programmes:

• review the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Europe overseas,
• review Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and MPA management in the context of climate change,
• review invasive species impacts and management in the context of climate change,
• implement adaptation measures to address climate change in Caribbean MPAs, and
• facilitate the integration of EU Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories in the Caribbean invasive species networks.