The LIFE INTEMARES project, coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, is on display in the Spanish pavilion at the Dubai World Expo 2020.

The LIFE INTEMARES project, coordinated by the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, is on display in the Spanish pavilion of the Dubai Universal Expo 2020, which has already exceeded one million visitors.

Under the slogan “Spain, intelligence for life”, the pavilion hosts a space dedicated to Spanish innovation where they present, as an example of technological creativity, sustainable projects linked to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the 2030 Agenda.

INTEMARES, which aims to move towards the effective management of marine protected areas, is included in an exhibition area along with other initiatives with a Spanish seal related to the preservation of the ocean, forests, sustainable uses of microalgae, food, waste reduction and renewable energies.  

This space called “The Forest of Intelligence” shows how our country contributes to the protection and sustainable use of natural resources. It is divided into three thematic areas: preserving biodiversity, balanced use of resources and collective intelligence. Among its attractions, it has augmented reality pieces, an app that helps interaction with the space and an interactive tree that reacts to the presence of visitors.

Since its opening in October 2021, the Spanish pavilion has already received one million visitors, which represents about 9% of the attendees at the Dubai Expo. In addition, it has obtained a score of 4.6 out of 5 on a recommendation scale, according to data from a recent survey of visitors.

The event, which will close its doors on March 31, has the participation of 190 countries.

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF PROTECTED AREAS

The LIFE INTEMARES project is moving towards the objective of achieving effective management of the marine areas of the Natura 2000 Network, with the active participation of the sectors involved and with research as the basic tools.

The Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge coordinates this project. The ministry itself, through the Directorate-General for Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification; the Regional Government of Andalusia, through the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Sustainable Development, as well as the Environment and Water Agency; the Spanish Institute of Oceanography; AZTI; the University of Alicante; the Polytechnic University of Valencia; the Spanish Fisheries Confederation, SEO/BirdLife and WWF-Spain. It is supported by the LIFE Program of the European Union.