Galicia hosts pivotal nature conservation summit at Santa Cruz Castle
A key meeting on nature conservation took place at Santa Cruz Castle in Galicia this week. Organised by the Centre for University Extension and Environmental Outreach of Galicia (CEIDA), the event brought together officials from the IUCN, Spain's government, and local organisations. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation for biodiversity protection and sustainable resource management.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) held its working session at the historic Santa Cruz Castle, which also houses CEIDA and the Mariñas Coruñesas e Terras do Mandeo Biosphere Reserve. Representatives from Spain's Ministry for Ecological Transition (MITECO), the Xunta de Galicia, the Oleiros Town Council, and IUCN member groups attended the event.
IUCN Director General Grethel Aguilar stressed the need for stronger environmental multilateralism. She highlighted the vital role of regional governments and civil society in putting conservation policies into practice. María Jesús Rodríguez de Sancho, MITECO's Director General of Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification, also underscored the long-standing partnership between Spain and the IUCN.
Carlos Vales, Director of CEIDA, led the opening session. He called for better coordination between the IUCN Secretariat, its members, and expert commissions to align future priorities. Maher Mahjoub, Director of the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, noted the productive collaboration with the Spanish IUCN Committee, including ongoing work with the Xunta de Galicia.
The Lonxanet Foundation presented artisanal fishing as a sustainable management model. Their approach combines scientific research with local knowledge to protect marine resources. Meanwhile, the Mariñas Coruñesas Biosphere Reserve highlighted the IUCN's role in linking conservation efforts with local economic and social development.
Since 2016, the Xunta de Galicia has been an IUCN subnational member. Its projects include managing Natura 2000 sites, Atlantic marine conservation, and environmental education through the Galician Environmental Foundation. While details on all joint initiatives remain limited, the partnership continues to grow.
The meeting reinforced the importance of collaboration between governments, experts, and local communities in conservation. Future steps will focus on aligning strategies and expanding networks to protect biodiversity. The event also showcased Galicia's role as an active participant in global environmental efforts.
