Story | 02 May, 2023
IUCN shows its commitment towards sustainable tourism at a key moment for nature in Albania
After the successful declaration of Vjosa Wild River National Park, Albania faces the challenge to reconcile tourism growth with the preservation of vulnerable natural areas, particularly in coastal zones. To help position Albania as a global leading destination for sustainable tourism, IUCN-Med…
Story | 05 Apr, 2023
Celebrating 9 Years of Achievements: REGENERATE Project Comes to a Close
On 22 February 2023, a closing ceremony was held in Male’, Maldives, to celebrate the successful conclusion of the Reefs Generate Environmental and Economic Resiliency for Atoll Ecosystems (REGENERATE) project. The project aimed to improve access to science-based decision making, capacity…
Press release | 15 Mar, 2023
Vjosa, one of our last wild rivers, becomes Europe's first Wild River National Park
Today, the Vjosa River in Albania, one of the last wild rivers of Europe is declared a National Park by the Albanian Government, becoming the first Wild River National Park in Europe. In future, the Vjosa will be conserved as a living, free-flowing river, to the benefit of people and nature.…
Story | 27 Feb, 2023
Economic valuation of ecosystems in the Gulf of Mottama
The triangle-shaped Gulf of Mottama, situated in southern Myanmar, is home to one of the world’s most dynamic intertidal systems. The extreme turbidity is produced by the delivery of 350 million tonnes per year of sediment from four large rivers, a tidal bore that moves at 3 metres per second,…
Story | 20 Feb, 2023
Annual shorebird monitoring in the Gulf of Mottama
The intertidal mud flats of the Gulf of Mottama, situated in southern Myanmar, are wintering grounds for 150,000-200,000 migratory shorebirds, including the critically endangered Spoon-billed sandpipers (Calidris pygmaea…
Story | 13 Feb, 2023
Commitments to save the Blue Heart of Europe
Freshwater conservation was in the focus at the CBD COP15 Biodiversity Summit in Montreal, when IUCN hosted a side event on “Conserving the Vjosa-Aoos River”, with participation of Mr. Ryan Gellert, CEO Patagonia, H.E. Dr Mirela Kumbaro, Minister of Tourism and Environment, Albania, H.E. Mr.
Story | 13 Feb, 2023
Vision, roadmap and feasibility study presented for pioneering freshwater conservation in Albania
A vision, roadmap and feasibility study for the protection of the Vjosa River and its free-flowing tributaries under the IUCN Category II management classification, have been presented
Story | 06 Dec, 2022
The Restoration Initiative: A Myanmar story
Restoration meets the needs of local forest communities in Myanmar
Story | 06 Nov, 2022
Maldives launches assessments of 39 coral species
On 26 October 2022, Her Excellency Aminath Shauna, Minister of Environment Climate Change and Technology launched the completed assessments of 39 coral species at the closing ceremony of a four-day IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Assessor training. During the ceremony,13 participants…
Story | 07 Oct, 2022
World Rivers Day 2022: Protecting the free-flowing Aoos-Vjosa River in Greece and Albania
Around this year’s World Rivers Day on 25 September, a number of events and activities were held along the Aoos-Vjosa River in Greece and Albania to promote transboundary collaboration and protection of this unique river system, from its source to the sea.