The recent highlights include the UN Biodiversity Summit and several reports concluding that national governments have fallen short on delivering conservation commitments under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). IUCN co-authored study recommends starting with the successful area-based conservation, while relying on improved collaboration with indigenous peoples, community groups, and private initiatives. 

We are proud to be involved in the shaping of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, making the issue of biodiversity one of its priorities - as IUCN and also through the Biodiversity Task Force of South-East Europe. The European Commission has presented the Guidelines for implementing the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans and adopted the Economic and Investment Plan for the region. The Green Agenda is expected to be adopted at the Western Balkans Summit in Sofia, Bulgaria in November this year.

We congratulate Uzbekistan and Georgia for designating new Ramsar sites. May this recognition of the value of wetlands inspire further nominations. In this newsletter, you can read about the efforts on the conservation of goitered gazelle by IUCN SOS Central Asia grantees, access the webinar on Nature-based Solutions with spotlight on Western Balkans, and learn about the international efforts towards more effective protection of rivers in the Balkans. And much more!

Our 2019 Annual report is now online, and we would like to take this opportunity to wholeheartedly thank all our Members and partners for their dedication and trust in IUCN’s values and mission. Finally, we invite you to follow us on Facebook and Twitter, where we can have a more direct exchange.

We thank all the contributors to A Voice for Nature #23 and wish you to stay safe!

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