As 2020 comes to a close, it is time to take a look back. The global pandemic has impacted our lives on all levels, as a stark reminder of the fragility of our societies and persistent environmental crisis. Coupled with biodiversity loss and climate change it threatens the fabric of life we rely on for water and food, for our health and security. 2020 has made it clear. The pandemic is a call to action for all to place nature at the core of our recovery and development strategies going forward.  

In an attempt to summarize the year behind us, which marked the 5th anniversary since the establishment of the IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia (ECARO) in Belgrade, we would like to highlight several achievements that marked our work in 2020. Broad consultations paved a way for the publication of the IUCN Thematic Report on World Heritage in Central Asia. Living Buna and SOS Central Asia grant mechanisms we have launched in 2019 resulted in CSO and community-led conservation action on the ground.

The EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 placed nature much higher as a priority in EU policy and development plans. It paved the road for the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, adopted at the Sofia Summit by Western Balkans' leaders in November. Together with the Biodiversity Task Force of South East Europe, we are very grateful to the Regional Cooperation Council for being in a position to develop its biodiversity pillar, and once again confirm the role of regional cooperation in achieving conservation outcomes. 

ADAPT, a regional initiative aimed at increasing ecosystem and community resilience to climate change and environmental degradation by applying Nature-based Solutions in the Western Balkans is in full swing. The IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions will frame our work, and help us scale up these solutions from local to global.

Through the Global Partnership on Aichi Target 11 in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, we have managed to mobilise a broad network of partners and facilitate updates of the World Database of Protected Areas thus significantly contributing to achieving the global target of 17% of terrestrial protected areas. We would like to congratulate the Governments of Uzbekistan, the Russian Federation, and Kazakhstan for making big steps forward to this end. 

Needless to say that we wouldn’t be able to achieve all this without the support of our members, expert networks, and donors. We take this opportunity to wholeheartedly thank all our members and partners for their dedication and trust in IUCN’s values and mission.

We wish you restful holidays, and a Happy and Healthy 2021! Stay safe!

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