The Arab Maghreb Union (AMU) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have just agreed last May to sign a cooperation agreement designed to support joint efforts for biodiversity conservation and that, pending the AMU joining to the international body of IUCN.

Three priority areas were identified to initiate cooperation, these are: the valuation of oasis ecosystems, the conservation of marine biodiversity and adaptation to climate change at the AMU countries. In this context, meetings will be held shortly between representatives of the AMU and IUCN to develop joint initiatives, including the three themes.

During his visit to Rabat, the director of IUCN-Med, Antonio Troya, also had the opportunity to meet representatives of the High Commission for Water, Forests and Desertification (HCEFLCD) and IUCN Members. This meeting provided an opportunity to review an array of initiatives and activities underway and planned by IUCN-Med in Morocco, like the National Park project in Al Hoceima, the fair birds in Morocco and the proposal of a new project under the Partnership Fund for Ecosystems Reviews (CEPF). In this context, representatives of HCEFLCD reiterated their request to IUCN-Med to support the establishment of a national Red List of threatened species in Morocco. The meeting with the Moroccan Members also helped to explain the progress of preparations for holding the next IUCN World Conservation Congress in Jeju and the main important events for the Mediterranean and North Africa region.