Marseilles hosts the IUCN World Conservation Congress

A green and sustainable september for the transition of production and consumption modes

From September 3 to 11, 2021, preservation of the environment and biodiversity will be in the spotlight in Marseilles. The World Conservation Congress launched by President Macron is expecting many personalities. Governments, local communities, scientific experts, companies and associations will testify to their commitment, which has become essential for the balance of ecosystems at a global level. Given the urgent need to counter pollution and its negative impacts on climate, some big announcements are expected.

To encourage everyone to unite in action and create synergy, it is important that everyone does their bit. This is why the Congress is opening its doors to the general public for the first time with the Nature Generation Areas where the economic world, charities and citizens can come together. A real opportunity to learn, progress and accelerate joint decision-making at local, national and international level.

The World Conservation Congress is one of the most important events in the world for environmental protection and sustainable development. Four years of preparation are necessary in order to bring together the best international experts. Initially scheduled for September 2020 and maintained in Marseilles, France, this edition is a flagship event of the autumn, in the lead-up to the COP 15 on biodiversity, which will take place in China in 2022.

Within Chanot Park, a large number of topics will be covered: fresh water and oceans, landscape management for animal and plant species, climate, governance of sustainability, responsible financing and even the contribution of new technologies and innovation.

A "hybrid" format for all attendees

In light of the health context and the fact that some people are unable to attend the congress in person, a large part of the Forum, the Members' Assembly and other sessions will be broadcast online (information on the website).

Partners of the Ministry of Ecological Transition for the organization of this great event, the City of Marseilles, the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, the Aix-Marseille-Provence CCI, the Bouches-du-Rhône Department and the SUD Region express their desire to act for the preservation of the environment as local communities.

Made up of large nature reserves, the territory is at the top of the IUCN green list of protected areas with the recent listing in April 2021 of the Sainte-Victoire National Nature Reserve and the Tour du Valat estate in the Camargue.

The new Nature Generation Areas

In light of the health context and the fact that some people are unable to attend the congress in person, a large part of the Forum, the Members' Assembly and other sessions will be broadcast online (information on the website).

Partners of the Ministry of Ecological Transition for the organization of this great event, the City of Marseilles, the Aix-Marseille-Provence Metropolis, the Aix-Marseille-Provence CCI, the Bouches-du-Rhône Department and the SUD Region express their desire to act for the preservation of the environment as local communities.

Made up of large nature reserves, the territory is at the top of the IUCN green list of protected areas with the recent listing in April 2021 of the Sainte-Victoire National Nature Reserve and the Tour du Valat estate in the Camargue.

Mobilization around practical action

In order to make the region's initiatives visible, innovative start-ups, SMEs, large groups and charities involved in the ecological transition will be at Waste We Can. ⁽¹⁾

More than 200 experts will come to discuss topics relating to waste management and the circular economy, the objective being to decompartmentalize each person's processes in order to achieve better integration of existing solutions.

A cabinet of curiosities will present environmental innovations to be discovered, such as Neolith, Les Alchimistes, Sauvage Méditerranée, and many more.

Recently established in Marseilles, within the Synchronicity HQ dedicated to local players in the circular economy, the start-up Platypus followed by Provence Promotion, will be in the Waste We Can area for the "Land to sea and sea to land" day. The prototype of its semi-submersible, one of the applications of which will be to identify waste at sea in order to be able to clean the seabed, will be exhibited at the quayside in the "blue" village which will link the Old Port to the MuCEM inner harbor.

In addition, in the professional area, the presence of the L'Occitane Group is worth noting. It has been a partner of the IUCN for several years and will present its initiatives in favor of biodiversity in terms of agroecology in particular.

Committed to the development of a responsible cosmetics industry, its objective is to encourage producers to adopt cultivation methods that respect and regenerate the soil, but also to reflect on other aspects such as packaging to reduce waste and limit the environmental impact of their products. In Marseilles, their investment fund and accelerator OBRATORI supports TechForGood start-ups, keen to combine human well-being with that of Mother Nature.

1. List (non-exhaustive) of the organizations participating in the Waste We Can event

Olympique de Marseille, MAIF Sport Planète, the Aix-Marseille-Provence CCI, Plastic Odyssey, Agence Régionale Pour la Biodiversité et l'Environnement de Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, Véolia, Smart Building Alliance, Pernod Ricard France, the Fédération des Promoteurs Immobiliers, the Ministry of Sports, Ekodev, the Relai Vert Foundation, Oxygène Sport, Match for Green, 1 Déchet par jour, the "La République" restaurant, Les Jardins de Solène, Calanque National Park, Eqosphere, Earthship Sisters, Planet Care, Platypus, The Sea Cleaners, Clicn N'Dive, Sauvage Méditerranée, Fondation de la Mer, Reseaclons, Black Star, Carbon Blue, XTree, Néolith, Hub Cycle Tara, Total Energies, Evere, BioBeeBox, OMPECA Converter, Les Terrasses du Port, Raedificare, AtmoSud, ADEME...