8 December 2014: During a World Parks Congress (WPC) event organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA), participants agreed that a multidisciplinary understanding of biodiversity conservation and protected areas (PAs) is necessary to highlight gaps and to effectively manage PAs in the West Asia region.

The meeting highlighted achievements and experience in biodiversity conservation and protected areas management among the IUCN Members in West Asia. In particular, it showcased presentations describing threats to mangrove forests in Iran, restoration plans for threatened species in Saudi Arabia, economic and ecosystem services of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve in Lebanon, and local community involvement in protected area management in Jordan. [IUCN News]