Story | 29 Jun, 2023
Vjosa, a National Park in the making
A number of national and international experts and relevant authorities visited the Vjosa River Valley in Albania on a study tour this June, making the first steps towards building an effectively conserved and managed, and equitably governed Vjosa Wild River National Park.
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 | 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 | 09 Mar, 2022
UNEA Resolution - ‘End Plastic Pollution’ - and IUCN role in implementation of the Treaty
The new UNEA Resolution, ‘End Plastic Pollution: Towards a legally binding instrument’, establishes an Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee that will develop the specific content of the new plastic pollution treaty with the aim of completing its work by the end…
Story | 28 Apr, 2021
Protection study of the Vjosa River Valley based on IUCN protected area standards now available
There is a need to protect the Vjosa River Valley along its full length, including its tributaries - confirms the new IUCN WCPA authored study.
Grey literature | 2021
Protection study of the Vjosa River Valley based on IUCN protected area standards
This report provides insight into the rationale and feasability of declaring a protected area for the Vjosa Valley, along with the management objectives and associated protected area categories that would ensure the conservation of the area's key values.
Story | 23 Oct, 2019
The world of protected areas in one book, now in Spanish
The entirety of protected area management and governance has been available in one book since the IUCN World Parks Congress 2014, in Sydney. The Spanish version of this publication, 'Protected Area Governance and Management’, was launched in Lima, on 15 October 2019, at the third Latin American…
Story | 07 May, 2019
Towards Natura 2000 in Albania
The centrepiece of EU nature policies, Natura 2000 is the largest coordinated network of protected sites in the world. Despite being on a steady rise, the Albanian system of protected areas is facing numerous challenges, stemming from the country’s fast development in recent years. To help…
Publication | 2018
State of nature conservation systems in South-Eastern Europe
This report is the first comprehensive attempt to collate all the relevant information on institutional arrangements for nature conservation in the region into one coherent report. It aims to review the health of the national nature conservation systems, their suitability for purpose, the main…