Key priorities for protected areas have been established during a recent meeting of the Steering Committee for IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas.

Conserving biodiversity, developing capacity, improving protected area management, and addressing issues of governance, equity and livelihoods, were the four strategic priorities identified for the next four years. The Steering Committee, which met in Gland, Switzerland from 26-29 April 2005, developed a strategic plan focused on implementing the CBD’s programme of work on protected areas, the Durban Action Plan and the Millennium Development Goals. The strategic plan will now be discussed with Commission members for finalization before the upcoming meeting of the CBD Working Group on Protected Areas, to be held in June 2005, in Montecatini, Italy. More information.