Regions4 has deepened its commitment to environmental conservation by officially becoming a member of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Unanimously approved during the 2023 General Assembly last July, and after IUCN Council approval, we now proudly stand as a member of the world’s first and largest global environmental union, comprising over 1400 members currently. 

The upcoming UNFCCC COP28 in Dubai (30 November – 12 December) will be a great occasion to celebrate this new partnership. Regions4 will host a series of events in collaboration with IUCN, as well as other organisations, on the theme of nature conservation and restoration as a crucial solution to climate change. 

Our side event “Catalysts of Change: subnational leadership on the implementation of innovative NatureBased Solutions (NbS)”, that will take place at the IUCN Pavilion on 6 December (16:00 -17:15 GST) will feature a roundtable discussion between regional leaders exploring NbS, its enabling conditions, and strategies for replicating successful actions at the regional level. 

Additionally, Regions4, with the support of the Post2020 Biodiversity Framework EU Support project, implemented by Expertise France, and in collaboration with IUCN, will host a High-Level Networking Cocktail on 6 December (19:00 – 21:00 GST) at the IUCN Pavilion in the Blue Zone of COP28.  

The reception, themed “Integrated actions for transformative change: showcasing subnational champions in synergies between climate & biodiversity agendas”, aims to bring together subnational leaders, policymakers, and environmental advocates committed to aligning international climate and biodiversity agendas, fostering a future where we can live in harmony with nature. Regions4 welcomes all interested stakeholders to our reception, kindly register here to attend. 

Finally, on 11 December (12:00 –13:30 GST) the side event titled as “Tackling the twin crises of climate and biodiversity loss: ambition and action from regional and local governments to build resilience”, hosted at the EU Pavilion. In collaboration the European Committee of the Regions and with support from the Post2020 Biodiversity Framework EU Support project, this event will explore concrete actions to build bridges between the Kunming-Montreal Biodiversity Framework, the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Agenda’s implementation on the ground. 

This collaboration with IUCN signifies a collective effort to inform, influence and implement solutions to the planet’s greatest environmental challenges. Join us in celebrating Regions4 and IUCN’s joint work for a nature-positive future by attending our events and reaching out to us.