IUCN Eastern Europe and Central Asia

For two decades, we have forged strong partnerships with governments, NGOs, and experts across #EasternEurope and #CentralAsia, working together to protect biodiversity, champion sustainable practices, and create a future where people and nature thrive. Since 2017, we have been proud to collaborate with Scientific Society Tethys, our Member in Kazakhstan. 🎥 Today, we are delighted to share a heartfelt video message from Roman Jashenko, President of Scientific Society Tethys, dedicated to IUCN and its Members: "Together, we can do many great things!" 🎉 Here’s to many more years of collaboration, innovation, and impact! #IUCNecaro20 | Institute of Zoology Republic of Kazakhstan

❄️New year. New energy. Same solution. 🫵 Protected and Conserved Areas 2025 is the International Year of #Glaciers' Preservation. We don't have time to lose to protect these fragile, life-giving ecosystems. Effective, equitable protected and conserved areas are a key part of the solution. #IYGP

🌟 Happy New Year from all of us at IUCN ECARO! 🌟 To our incredible Members, Commission experts, colleagues, partners, and donors - thank you for making #IUCNecaro20 so special 💚 Here’s to a joyful, healthy, and inspiring 2025 as we continue shaping a sustainable future for our region, together! 🌿 Oliver Avramoski | Jovana Dragic May | Milica Miskovic | Nikolay Larionov | Tatiana Ivanova | Alexandr Iscenco | Bosko Knezevic | Fabien Téchené | Ivana Tomasevic | Milica Radanovic | Liubov Timofeeva | Aleksandra Nikodinović | Andjela Klobucar | Konstantinos Makris | Jelena Stjelja | Milica Maric Berndt | Vesna Bjedov | Vladimir Smaglijenko | Boris Erg

🌍 We are opening a new position in Tashkent, Uzbekistan! Calling all colleagues and partners from Central Asia to help us spread the word 🙌 Our future colleague will support our work in Uzbekistan, and #CentralAsia as a Programme Assistant. She/he will work closely with our regional team and support the management of our #conservation projects, including the “One Health in nature conservation in Central Asia” initiative. 📋 Programme Assistant will: 🔸 Provide administrative and logistical support to the team. 🔸 Liaise with colleagues on financial and administrative matters. 🔸 Support coordination across projects within IUCN’s Central Asia portfolio. 🔸 Assist in office management and daily operations of the office. 🌟 Requirements: A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Management, Finance, or a related field; 3+ years of project management experience, fluency in English and Uzbek (Russian is a plus). 🚨Learn more and apply here 👉 https://bit.ly/49XFngn #ConservationJobs #SustainableDevelopment #BusinessAdministration #IUCNJobs Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan | Institute of Zoology Republic of Kazakhstan | Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) | Michael Succow Stiftung | UNEP-WCMC | IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA)| IUCN Protected and Conserved Areas | IUCN Species Survival Commission | Tatjana Rosen

Species from our region: The Polar Bear ❄️ Native to the Arctic region and highly dependent on sea ice as a platform for hunting seals, their primary prey 🧊 #DYK? 🔸 Polar Bears’ fur appears white but is actually transparent and hollow, trapping heat, while their black skin absorbs warmth. 🔸They are exceptional swimmers, capable of covering over 100 km in search of food or habitat. 🔸Adult males can weigh up to 800 kg, pregnant females 500 kg. 🔸Their acute sense of smell allows them to detect seals nearly 1 km away, even beneath several feet of snow. As apex predators, they regulate seal populations, maintaining the Arctic ecosystem's balance - essential for local communities relying on its resources. 🔴IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable (VU). The loss of sea ice due to #ClimateChange limits their hunting grounds and food access, threatening their survival. Other challenges include development, pollution, and energy and mining activities. Learn more👉https://bit.ly/3BHhqNV #IconicSpecies #SpeciesConservation #IUCNecaro20 IUCN Species Survival Commission | IUCN Water and Wetlands

🌍 We are hiring! Colleagues from Central Asia, help us spread the word 🙌 Few days left to apply for a Regional Coordinator position that will lead our conservation efforts in #CentralAsia. This role will focus on establishing and operationalising our new office in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, representing IUCN with key authorities, developing impactful conservation projects, and enhancing partnerships in the country and region. The ideal candidate will hold an advanced degree in environmental fields and bring over 10 years of experience in programme management, particularly in #conservation or #SustainableDevelopment. She/he should possess strong leadership, resource mobilisation, and programme management skills, along with expertise in building partnerships, navigating diverse cultural dynamics, and engaging effectively with donors, governments, and civil society. Fluency in English is essential, with Russian or regional languages as an advantage. Find out more and apply 👉 https://lnkd.in/dwpt96zN Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan | Institute of Zoology Republic of Kazakhstan | Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Michael Succow Stiftung | UNEP-WCMC | IUCN World Commission on Protected Areas (WCPA) | IUCN Protected and Conserved Areas | IUCN Species Survival Commission | Tatjana Rosen #Jobopportunities #Vacancy #ConservationJobs #IUCNJobs

Over the past two decades, IUCN has introduced international and innovative #conservation approaches to the region, says Boris Erg, Director of the IUCN European Regional Office and former leader of IUCN Eastern Europe and Central Asia, as he reflects on this journey. 🌿 Our priority remains the same - to promote global best practices, knowledge tools and standards in nature conservation as we continue building a more sustainable future for all. 🙌 📹 Watch the full video here 👉 https://bit.ly/4igVqtL #IUCNecaro20 🎉

Return of the Bison to the Caucasus 👏 An inspiring story of conservation success unfolds as Europe’s largest land mammal, the European bison, roams again in Shahdag National Park, Azerbaijan! Bison are revitalizing Shahdag’s forest ecosystems and creating opportunities for sustainable tourism, which benefits local communities significantly. Meanwhile, educational initiatives like bison-focused summer camps inspire the next generation of conservationists, fostering a deeper connection to nature and a commitment to protecting it. Read the full article by IDEA (International Dialogue for Environmental Action), IUCN Member, in Unite for Nature 👉 https://bit.ly/41VwD8R Congrats to the involved partners: IDEA | WWF - Azerbaijan | Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan | European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) | Tierpark Berlin | WWF Germany #conservation #reintroduction #WildlifeConservation #ConservationWorks #Biodiversity #SpeciesConservation

Introducing the #IUCNecaro20 trivia quest! 🎉 Discover the riches of #EasternEurope and #CentralAsia through fun and fascinating facts! 💬 Cast your vote below, and let us know what you think in the comments! Stay tuned for more questions as we celebrate 20 years of IUCN’s work in the region 👇

Over the past 20 years, we have worked with governments, NGOs, and experts in #EasternEurope and #CentralAsia to protect biodiversity, champion sustainable practices, and build a future where people and nature thrive together. We were delighted to welcome Albania as IUCN's State Member in 2024 🙌 A heartfelt thank you to Kumbaro Mirela, Minister of Tourism and Environment of Albania, for her inspiring video message celebrating our anniversary, reflecting on some of our joint achievements, and expressing her hopes for even stronger collaboration in the years to come 🎊 #IUCNecaro20