The Ministry of the Environment welcomes the fact that the World Conservation Union (IUCN) has selected Barcelona as the venue for the next World Conservation Congress to be held in autumn 2008.

The Congress is held every four years and brings together governments, non-governmental agencies, scientists, social leaders, trade unions, businesses, journalists, indigenous groups and artists, among others. It is one of the most representative and important congresses in the field of nature conservation, mainly dedicated to improving the management of our environment without forgetting the human, social and economic aspects.

The IUCN Council, the main governing body of this international organization, evaluated the two proposed finalist candidacies, Barcelona for Spain and Addis Ababa for Ethiopia, among eleven selected pre-candidates. To this end, the availability of conference rooms, hotel beds, public transportation, accessible geographical location, as well as potential donors, visas and customs, security and media coverage were taken into account.