Mediterranean Member Nations Engage in Resolutions at World Conservation Congress 2025 on Our Website
Mediterranean Organizations Shape Global Conservation at the 2025 World Conservation Congress
The World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, themed “Powering transformative conservation,” is an opportunity for Member organizations to influence global conservation efforts. Mediterranean organizations, in particular, have submitted a significant number of motions for consideration.
Motions are a foundational part of the Union's decision-making process, allowing Members to introduce formal proposals that can become Resolutions or Recommendations. This year, the Congress marks a transition in how motions are handled, with Members now able to vote online and at no cost.
Mediterranean organizations have submitted 51 out of 139 motions for consideration. France leads the way with 38 submissions, followed by Spain with 10, Tunisia with 2, and Albania with 1. The motions cover a diverse range of topics, including the use of genetic tools in conservation, protection of specific ecosystems such as the Sápmi Forest, and safeguarding biodiversity and indigenous livelihoods.
One of the key conservation-related motions from France is Motion 084, which calls for advancing a circular and sustainable bioeconomy. Another significant motion is Motion 103, submitted by the Ville de Paris, focusing on urban and peri-urban forests, urging their protection in line with the Global Standard Nature-based Solutions.
Motion 130, promoted by the Mediterranean Alliance for Wetlands, calls for stronger protection of core zones in Category I and II protected areas from unsustainable tourism development. Motion 060, led by Tunisia, introduces nature conservation diplomacy, using conservation as a tool for dialogue in conflict-affected regions. Motion 014, submitted by the French government with support from MITECO (Spain), promotes hedgerows in agriculture to enhance biodiversity and ecological connectivity.
The first motion on geodiversity was introduced at the 2008 World Conservation Congress in Barcelona. Spanish geological organizations have been instrumental in promoting geodiversity and geological heritage on the website's agenda. Geodiversity and geological heritage are explicitly included in the 20-year Strategic Vision and the draft Programme for 2026-2029, to be voted on in 2025.
The motions process is a collective way for Members to shape the website's agenda, with Mediterranean organizations ensuring regional challenges are addressed in global conservation efforts. The Congress's move forward and motions coming to a vote serve as a model of engagement and a reminder of the importance of regional voices in international environmental governance.
While the specific key conservation-related motions from Mediterranean organizations are not listed in the available information, accessing the official IUCN Congress 2025 motions list or directly consulting Mediterranean IUCN member organizations’ submissions might provide more precise and updated information.
Jesús Bellido, the Spanish Committee Secretariat of the website, plays a crucial role in this process. The Congress in Abu Dhabi is set to address critical conservation and sustainable development issues, and the votes on motions by member organizations will shape the future of global conservation.
[1] Source 1 [3] Source 3
- The World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, themed "Powering transformative conservation," is a platform for Mediterranean organizations to influence global sustainable development and conservation efforts.
- This year's Congress marks a shift in how motions are handled, with members now able to vote online, ensuring a more inclusive and accessible decision-making process.
- Significant motions from Mediterranean organizations cover a wide range of topics, including the use of genetic tools in conservation, protection of specific ecosystems like wetlands, urban forests, and safeguarding biodiversity and indigenous livelihoods.
- One of the key conservation-related motions is Motion 084, whichcalls for advancing a circular and sustainable bioeconomy, while Motion 103 focuses on the protection of urban and peri-urban forests using nature-based solutions.
- Motion 130 emphasizes the need for stronger protection of core zones in category I and II protected areas from unsustainable tourism development, and Motion 060 introduces nature conservation diplomacy as a tool for conflict resolution.
- The first motion on geodiversity was introduced at the 2008 World Conservation Congress in Barcelona, and Spanish geological organizations continue to promote geodiversity and geological heritage in global environmental governance.
