It’s a wrap: IUCN Regional Conservation Forum in Brugge
From 30 September to 3 October, the IUCN Regional Conservation Forum for Europe, North and Central Asia took place in Bruges. During the forum, IUCN members and experts discussed global challenges such as biodiversity and climate crises and social justice. They looked at how IUCN can respond to these. The event also served as regional preparation for the 2025 World Congress in Abu Dhabi, taking steps towards further developing the global conservation agenda.
With some 450 participants and a wide range of interactive sessions, crucial themes were addressed, such as sustainable nature-inclusive agriculture and nature restoration, concluding with eight field trips in the Flemish countryside. INBO was also very active with thematic sessions and posters, including on ecosystem accounting and nature-positive economy.
The organisation was possible thanks to financial support from the Flemish government and a collaboration of several government entities with INBO as the lead agency. The Belgian Biodiversity Platform, the City of Bruges and the IUCN Regional Offices were also pivotal organisers.
Prior to the forum, the Belgian Biodiversity Platform organised a ‘Best Practice of National Red Listing’ workshop at the Herman Teirlinck Building. This was attended by some 120 participants from across Europe and North and Central Asia, both live and online. The Flemish approach was presented by Geert de Knijf and Dirk Maes as one of the success stories. We discussed the updated guidelines for national Red Lists, and their relevance for different species and countries.
Hilde Eggermont and Anna Heck
>> Wrap up video (Wim de Wulf)
>> New guidelines for Red Lists
Image above: Wouter Van Reeth (INBO), photo Wim De Wulf
(foto Wim De Wulf)