The World Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) begins today until September 11, which is being held in a hybrid, face-to-face and virtual format, in Marseille (France) and with the participation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO).
The World Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) begins today until September 11, which is being held in a hybrid format, face-to-face and virtual, in Marseille (France) and with the participation of the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO). MITECO, as a member of IUCN, participates in this Forum and also in the Assembly of Members.
The four-yearly Congress of world leaders and government representatives, the world of science and academia, indigenous peoples’ groups, non-governmental organizations and businesses aims to address urgent environmental challenges. IUCN is a membership union composed of governmental organizations and civil society. It has the experience, resources and reach of its more than 1,400 organisations and the input of more than 18,000 experts from 160 countries. The meeting is held under the slogan “Nature, our future” to highlight the importance of healthy nature as a precondition for achieving the vision of a just and sustainable planet.
The seven topics that the Congress will cover are the following: Managing landscapes for nature and people; Conserve fresh water to sustain life; Restore ocean health; Accelerate climate change mitigation and adaptation; Upholding rights and ensuring effective and equitable governance; Optimize economic and financial systems for sustainability; Contribute to knowledge, learning, innovation and technology.
For her part, the Vice-President and Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Teresa Ribera, will speak on Tuesday, September 7 in the high-level panel “Mobilizing nature and society to address the climate emergency: the way forward”, where she will highlight the role of nature and the solutions it offers us to face the environmental challenges we face. including climate change.
On the other hand, the Secretary of State for the Environment, Hugo Morán Fernández, will participate virtually next Sunday, September 5, in a high-level panel on the fight against deforestation. He will also attend the congress in person on Tuesday, September 7, where he will hold different meetings with institutions and organizations from various countries.
Also, from the General Directorate of Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification and the Biodiversity Foundation we will also be participating in different meetings and events during the Congress. The director of the Biodiversity Foundation, Elena Pita, will take part in various sessions of the Forum and events focused on topics such as the mobilisation of funds for conservation. In addition, we will participate in a round table on plastic pollution in the Mediterranean.
Voting on more than 30 motions in the framework of the Forum
On the other hand, the Spanish delegation of MITECO will participate in the Assembly of Members and will vote on different motions that will outline the work of IUCN in the coming years. The motions address issues such as the development and implementation of a transformative and effective post-2020 global biodiversity framework ; advancing the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in the ocean beyond national jurisdiction or combating marine noise pollution.
During the days of September 8 to 10, the vote on these motions will take place, of which the Ministry co-sponsors two. The first of these, “Climate change and biodiversity crisis”, seeks to promote measures that recognize that the climate crisis and biodiversity loss are interrelated and therefore that synergies must be strengthened, research must be increased and nature-based solutions and international commitments must be implemented.
The second motion, “One Health”, seeks to ensure human, animal and environmental health, as well as avoid pandemics. It links human, animal and botanical health with the conservation of ecosystems, fundamental elements to ensure better human health, prevent future pandemics and fight the biodiversity crisis in the context of climate change.
In a first online vote , the IUCN Council elections will take place, where the new members will be elected. The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge has proposed the deputy director of Green Economy and Employment and International Relations of the Biodiversity Foundation, Sonia Castañeda, as a candidate for councillor .
Different areas mark the structure of the Congress
The Congress is structured in the following areas: The Forum, from September 4 to 7, a space for debate through high-level dialogues, training sessions and social events; Exhibition, from 4 to 9 September, focused on stands and events to publicise specific initiatives of companies, civil society and other organisations; The Assembly of Members, on 4, 8, 9 and 10 September, the decision-making body of IUCN, in which the membership will debate and vote on the different motions and proposals presented; The Generations of Nature Area, from September 4 to 11, a space to highlight the actions and commitments of citizens and non-governmental actors.
