Manama: The Supreme Council for Environment (SCE), in collaboration with the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and with technical support from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is organizing the GCC sub-regional workshop on the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs).
According to Bahrain News Agency, the workshop brought together specialists in protected area management from GCC member states, government officials, representatives of academic institutions and the private sector, as well as environmental and biodiversity conservation experts. The event aims to bolster GCC cooperation in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation by fostering knowledge exchange, building national and regional capacities, and applying international standards and best practices in managing protected areas.
Amna Hamad Al Rumaihi, Chief Executive of the SCE, emphasized that the initiative is part of ongoing efforts to enhance the management of protected areas and improve the effectiveness of environmental programs and projects. The goal is to conserve key ecosystems, protect native species and their natural habitats, promote sustainable management, and strengthen resilience to environmental challenges and climate change.
Al Rumaihi further explained that the workshop offers a platform for GCC member states to share successful experiences and align their approaches to developing protected area management policies. This collaboration supports the member states in fulfilling their regional and international environmental commitments, achieving global biodiversity targets and the Sustainable Development Goals, and ensuring the sustainability of natural resources for current and future generations.
The workshop includes scientific and practical sessions, as well as specialized panel discussions. These focus on the implementation of the IUCN Green List standards and the exchange of expertise to support the development of protected area management and strengthen GCC efforts to achieve biodiversity conservation and sustainable development goals.