Eastern and Southern Africa
Power of partnerships needed for world's wetlands
At the opening of the 11th Conference of the Contracting Parties (CoP) of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, IUCN Director General Julia Marton-Lefèvre called on governments to support strong partnerships as key to moving from aspiration to implementation for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. …
06 Jul 2012 | News story
World Heritage - a future at risk?
St. Petersburg, Russia, 6 July, 2012 (IUCN) – As the number of natural wonders on the World Heritage List continues to grow, too many sites are left with little resources to manage them properly and conserve the very values they were inscribed for, say IUCN experts. Many face a barrage of threats, not least from mining and oil exploration. … | Chinese
06 Jul 2012 | News story
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Last few hours for discounts on Congress fees
2012 is a busy year for environmental decision-making, with many large-scale conventions taking place. But the IUCN World Conservation Congress is a unique event with a unique audience. It is the only global summit that represents every aspect of conservation, bringing together leaders of all levels – from governments and international NGOs to academia and local charities. … | French | Spanish
05 Jul 2012 | News story
Six natural wonders declared World Heritage Sites
St. Petersburg, Russia, 2 July, 2012 (IUCN) – Sangha Trinational - shared between Cameroon, the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo; Lakes of Ounianga in Chad and Chengjiang fossil site in China have been inscribed on the World Heritage List, following the recommendations of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). Lena Pillars Nature Park in Russia and Western Ghats in India were also added to the prestigious list by the World Heritage Committee, a 21-nation panel. … | French
02 Jul 2012 | News story
Reconnecting science to policy in Europe and beyond
“Scientific research is an essential foundation for the implementation of any policy in favour of biodiversity. We need to improve data on biodiversity and its dissemination between the scientific community, policymakers and civil society both at the EU and global levels,” urged Mr Gaston Franco, Member of the European Parliament (MEP) during the recent briefing session on IPBES, the new global science-policy platform on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The briefing report is now available. … | French
02 Jul 2012 | News story
One in ten natural World Heritage Sites in Danger
UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee’s annual meeting, which starts in St Petersburg on Sunday, will see a total of 36 new sites considered for inscription as natural and cultural sites, and a series of monitoring reports on the sites already listed. But if IUCN’s recommendations to add four World Heritage sites to the Danger List are accepted, 21 out of the 211 –one in ten- natural World Heritage Sites will be officially “in danger.” … | French | Russian
23 Jun 2012 | News story
Water - it's irreplaceable
At the Rio Dialogues, civil society and business showed through their online votes and panelist speeches increasing leadership when it comes to water issues. And interesting enough, the right to water was not the number one recommendation passed on to the heads of States. …
22 Jun 2012 | News story
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Experts report highest elephant poaching and ivory smuggling rates in a decade
Elephant poaching levels are the worst in a decade and recorded ivory seizures are at their highest levels since 1989, according to a report published today by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The findings, largely based on information submitted by governments, will be presented and discussed at the 62nd meeting of the CITES Standing Committee to be held in Geneva from 23 to 27 July 2012. …
22 Jun 2012 | News story
20 years on, civil society leads in Rio
Governments are leaving the UN’s Sustainable Development Summit (Rio +20) with a big deal but little action. Groups of civil society and business have proved they can lead the way towards a sustainable future. …
22 Jun 2012 | News story
Commitments coming through in Rio
As world leaders pour in to Rio de Janeiro for the UN's Sustainable Development Summit civil society, business and governments are making commitments that will make a difference, according to IUCN's Director General Julia Marton-Lefèvre. …
21 Jun 2012 | News story
