IUCN in the Western Balkans
The Western Balkans is home to extraordinary natural wealth and rich biodiversity. The region harbours vast freshwater and forest resources, distinctive karst ecosystems, high levels of species endemism, and large, unfragmented natural landscapes of international importance. It provides vital habitat for many threatened and rare species, making it a key area for conservation in Europe and beyond.
However, this remarkable biodiversity is under growing pressure from environmental degradation, land-use change, pollution, and the escalating impacts of climate change. Rising temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events, floods, droughts, and forest fires are placing ecosystems and communities at increasing risk. As these ecosystems become degraded, their ability to provide essential services, such as clean water, fertile soils, and protection from natural disasters, diminishes, further increasing the region’s vulnerability.
IUCN’s presence in the Western Balkans reflects a strong commitment to safeguarding these natural values while supporting sustainable development and regional cooperation. By aligning its efforts with the Global Biodiversity Framework, the Sustainable Development Goals, and the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, IUCN works alongside governments, civil society, and partners to help countries deliver on national and global conservation targets.
Through its growing network of Members and expert Commissions, IUCN offers both technical expertise and convening power, bringing together science, policy, and practice to co-create effective, inclusive solutions to today’s complex environmental challenges.
The IUCN Regional Office for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, based in Belgrade, Serbia, serves as a regional coordination and knowledge hub. It connects stakeholders across the region with IUCN’s global knowledge, tools, and internationally recognised standards. These include the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species™, the IUCN Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas, and the IUCN Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions™, all designed to support evidence-based decision-making and deliver measurable results in conservation and climate resilience.
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ADAPT 2.0: Building on Success for Climate and Biodiversity in the Western Balkans |
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