The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) participates in the World Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which is being held in a hybrid format, face-to-face and virtual, in Marseille (France), from today until September 11.
The Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) participates in the World Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which is being held in a hybrid format, face-to-face and virtual, in Marseille (France), from today until September 11.
The congress brings together world leaders and government representatives, the world of science and academia, indigenous peoples’ groups, non-governmental organizations and businesses, in order to address urgent environmental challenges.
MITECO, as a member of IUCN, participates in the Forum and the Assembly of Members. The Vice-President and Minister for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Teresa Ribera, will speak on Tuesday 7 September in the high-level panel “Mobilising 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.
The Directorate-General for Biodiversity, Forests and Desertification and the Biodiversity Foundation will also participate 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. The Biodiversity Foundation will also participate in a round table on plastic pollution in the Mediterranean.
VOTING ON MORE THAN 30 MOTIONS
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. MITECO has proposed the deputy director of Green Economy and Employment and International Relations of the Biodiversity Foundation, Sonia Castañeda, as a candidate for councillor.
EXPERTS FROM MORE THAN 160 COUNTRIES
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 IUCN World Conservation Congress is a forum that meets every four years to define priorities and promote conservation and sustainable development actions. 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.
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, IUCN’s decision-making body, 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.
