The IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation (IUCN Med) was honored with the 2025 Sustainability, Environment and Nature Award at the sixth edition of the Proa 2025 Awards held in Málaga. Organized by the Andalusian Maritime-Marine Cluster (CMMA), the awards recognize outstanding maritime and marine initiatives both in Andalusia and internationally. IUCN Med was awarded for its significant contributions to sustainable development and the protection of marine biodiversity. The event gathered stakeholders from research institutions, public administration, civil society organizations, and private companies.
IUCN Med’s work was commended by Ramón Fernández-Pacheco, Regional Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development, who acknowledged the organization’s role in conserving nature while generating socio-economic benefits. IUCN Med operates as a model for sustainable marine resource use and environmental awareness in the region.
The Proa 2025 Awards were supported by various regional entities, including the Andalusian Regional Government, Tourism and Planning Costa del Sol, Unicaja Bank, the Málaga Chamber of Commerce, and the Andalusian Business Confederation. These awards aim to highlight innovation, excellence, and sustainability within the Blue Economy sector.
Established in 2001 in Málaga, IUCN Med has built a strong network of over 250 member organizations across 24 Mediterranean countries, supported by more than 2,200 commission experts. It specifically supports members in Spain and North Africa and leads thematic programs throughout the Mediterranean and beyond.
In 2024, IUCN Med enhanced its influence in regional and global conservation policies by participating in major international events and forums. These included the Barcelona Convention, the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM), and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM). It has actively contributed to blue economy initiatives, climate action, and the promotion of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs) in collaboration with the World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA).
The IUCN Med Secretariat continues to work with a diverse set of stakeholders—governments, civil society, and technical partners—to improve marine biodiversity protection and sustainable governance in the Mediterranean. Their projects aim to enhance policy, practice, and institutional frameworks for better management of marine ecosystems and the achievement of long-term conservation goals.
