Federico Ramos chairs the fourth meeting of the Advisory Council of the Biodiversity Foundation

The Advisory Council of the Biodiversity Foundation of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and the Environment today held its fourth meeting since its creation, in which the development of the projects coordinated by the Foundation and the activity of these first months of the year were analysed.
 
At this meeting, which was chaired by the Secretary of State for the Environment and Vice-President of the Board of Trustees of the Biodiversity Foundation, Federico Ramos, special interest was placed on marine spaces, especially in the LIFE Integrated project for the management of the marine Natura 2000 Network: INTEMARES.
 
During the meeting, the members of the Advisory Council also discussed the development of other projects such as the Spanish Business and Biodiversity Initiative (IEEB), which celebrates its second anniversary next May, and the programme of Actions related to the conservation of the coast, within the framework of which the IV edition of the Responsible Beach Bars Awards has just been launched.
 
The IEEB seeks to promote economic development compatible with the conservation of biodiversity. To this end, it provides a framework for cooperation between large companies, the third sector and the public administration with the aim of including the conservation and management of biodiversity in the business strategies of the different business sectors of the Spanish economy.
 
Among the coastal conservation actions, which seek citizen involvement in the conservation of the coastline and watersheds, three programs stand out: the Beaches, Rivers, Volunteering and Land Stewardship, the Decalogue of Good Environmental Practices for Beach Bars, and the Responsible Beach Bar Awards. These initiatives seek to enhance the role of citizen action in the conservation of ecosystems for a constant improvement of the environment.
 
Special attention has also been paid to the Empleamar Programme, co-financed by the European Maritime Fisheries Fund, to strengthen the sustainability of the Spanish fisheries and aquaculture sector. Through this programme, the aim is to promote projects to protect and recover marine biodiversity, with a special focus on the Natura 2000 Network.
 
The aim of this meeting was to gather contributions on the Foundation’s activity and on those projects with the greatest projection for the institution, with the aim of enriching the strategy to be followed in the coming years.
 
In addition, the Advisory Council has also analysed the progress that has been made with respect to the previous meeting, held in October 2014, including the LIFE+ INDEMARES       , which has just ended with the declaration of more than 8% of our protected seas, or the actions of the Empleaverde 2014-2020 programme.
 
During the meeting, the importance of collaboration with companies and the channelling of private financing was addressed, as well as the need to encourage the search for alliances. Emphasis was also placed on promoting initiatives aimed at encouraging the involvement of society in research and biodiversity conservation.
 
The Advisory Council is made up of 15 professionals from various sectors, related to their aims and principles of action. The members of the Board participate, voluntarily and altruistically, in a personal capacity, in view of their merits and professional career, and do not represent the entity or company in which they work. Its functions are consultation and advice.