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16 March 2007 To strengthen Spain’s long-standing support to global nature conservation and the IUCN Mediterranean Programme, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Miguel Angel Moratinos met with the new IUCN Mediterranean Director, Margarita Astrálaga during his recent visit to the IUCN offices in Málaga. He acknowledged the importance of the IUCN Mediterranean office for Málaga, Andalucia and Spain as a whole, with particular mention of the next IUCN World Conservation Congress to be held in Barcelona in October 2008. The Minister recognised that climate change was a global challenge that required a multilateral and engaged answer from all sectors of society. Due to its geographical situation in the Southern Mediterranean, Spain is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, with human activities being the main contributors to climate change. Figures show that Spain is still far from reaching the Kyoto targets, having increased its CO2 emissions by 47, 8 %, which means that fast and effective measures must be taken. In this regard, the Spanish government has designed a National Plan for Adaptation to Climate Change, which will be accompanied by awareness campaigns, and the promotion of research and innovation towards cleaner technologies. Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos announced that he would propose to the Council of Ministers the appointment of an Ambassador for Climate Change. The IUCN Mediterranean office is also collaborating with the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, the Ministry of Environment and other national, regional and local institutions to support further programmes and initiatives to help Spain and IUCN members in the Mediterranean reach a sustainable strategy for adaptation to climate change. The meeting also provided an opportunity for open discussions on all issues of concern for the IUCN Mediterranean office, such as its international status, the long term agreement with the Spanish Government, and a more strategic cooperation plan for North Africa. To coordinate regional cooperation initiatives with IUCN, Andalucia’s regional government, the Consejería de Medio Ambiente, represented by Cecilia Gañán and the government of the province of Malaga, the Diputación de Málaga, represented by Marisa Bustinduy, were also present at the meeting. Both are IUCN members and donors to the IUCN Mediterranean office in Malaga. For more information, contact Margarita Astralaga, Director, IUCN Mediterranean Office, at: |
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