IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature

The EU “overseas dimension” includes 28 entities linked to 6 member states: France, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, UK and Denmark. Spread on all oceans, home to a unique diversity of species and ecosystems, European ORs and OCTs are of crucial importance for biodiversity at global scale. They are concentrated is biodiversity hotspots (Caribbean, western Indian Ocean, Oceania), major wilderness areas (Guyana shield), and key regions for polar ecosystems and fish stocks (Greenland, South Georgia, French Sub-Antarctic islands, Falkland islands (malvinas), etc).

ORs and OCTs host more then 10 % of the world coral reefs and lagoons and a lot more species then mainland EU. New Caledonia alone has about as many endemic species as the entire European continent, and French Guyana includes an area of Amazon rainforest the size of Portugal.

IUCN has therefore recognized the key importance of EU overseas entities, and increasingly takes it into account in its programmes at European, global and regional levels.

1. The first priority is awareness raising at Brussels level and throughout the European Union. Awareness of the importance of biodiversity in ORs and OCTs has improved at local and national levels over the last years, but a lot remains to be done at EU level.
    
2. IUCN is also strongly involved in discussions with all stakeholders aiming at building stronger European policies and ambitions for environmental issues in ORs and OCTs. Stakeholders involved include the authorities of ORs & OCTs, EU member states, the European Commission, and relevant public and scientific organizations and NGOs. IUCN is also actively bringing the issue of ORs and OCTs in global initiatives such as the Global Island Partnership (GLISPA).
    
3. IUCN is also actively promoting the reinforcement of regional cooperation around ORs and OCTs. IUCN has created a new office for Oceania based in Fiji, and recently launched a new initiative for the Caribbean. Attention is also given to other regions, such as the Western Indian Ocean, the Guyana shield area, and the Austral Ocean. EU ORs and OCTs are often too isolated in their regional contexts, and IUCN is keen to make the best possible use of European cooperation tools for efficient regional environmental strategies.
    
4. Finally, the IUCN programme on EU overseas entities wants to contribute building the necessary bridges between climate change and biodiversity issues in ORs, OCTs and islands in general. Island people, cultures and economies are severely threatened by the combined effects of climate change and the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. In order to strengthen their efforts in addressing these threats, islands should value their political, economic and cultural links with the European Union. This will reinforce their solidarity and cooperation, as well as maximize the potential for islands to become role models in sustainable development.