The prize awarded by the Malaga City Council recognizes the cooperation efforts put forward by IUCN-Med for more than 20 years to conserve Mediterranean species and nature, protect environmental values ​​through its work with associations, raise public awareness about natural environments and tackle climate change, which support compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) set by the United Nations.

IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) was founded in 1948 and currently brings together 82 countries, 111 government agencies, 836 NGOs, 34 affiliates and more than 1,000 scientists and experts. It is the main environmental reference in the world and is characterized by the search for formulas to make sustainable development effective. In the General Assembly held in 1994, the IUCN specified the need for a Cooperation Center and a framework programme for the Mediterranean region, which made possible the creation and location of this office in Malaga in 2001.