Event on “Achieving the EU Biodiversity Strategy: The vital role of the EU’s Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories”
Tuesday 24th June 2025 at 18:00 – 20:00 CEST
Organized at the European Parliament, Brussels (Room ASP 3H1)
Hosted by MEP André Rodrigues
With 2030 fast approaching, Member States have less than five years to achieve the environmental goals and commitments set out in the EU Biodiversity Strategy. Decisive actions have been taken to bolster implementation, such as the entry into force of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Nevertheless, to avoid the shortcomings of the past, the implementation of these commitments on the ground needs to be upscaled.
A critical contribution to bending the curve of biodiversity loss and tackling climate change comes from the EU Outermost Regions (ORs) and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). As over 80% of Europe’s biodiversity is found in these regions, they are essential for achieving the EU’s biodiversity and climate action targets. From restoring marine and terrestrial ecosystems to eradicating invasive alien species, conserving threatened species, and promoting the sustainable use of ecosystem services, a plethora of projects are delivering benefits for people and nature.
In this context, since 2011, the BEST Initiative has supported biodiversity conservation and the sustainable use of ecosystem services, including ecosystem-based approaches to climate change adaptation and mitigation, in the 9 EU Outermost Regions (ORs) and 25 Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) through 153 grants.
This event will spotlight the work of the EU-supported BESTLIFE2030 Programme – set to fund over 200 conservation projects with nearly €25 million by 2030—by showcasing success stories, sharing lessons learnt with policymakers, and highlighting ongoing challenges and opportunities.
Agenda & documents
