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IPAs in International conservation

IPAs form an integral part of the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Global Strategy for Plant Conservation, which was first endorsed by governments all over the world in 2002, and which is currently being revised to run from 2010 to 2020.


IPA criteria and methodology provide a framework for identifying priority plant sites to implement Target 5 of the old and new Global Strategies for Plant Conservation, which aims to protect and conserve the most important areas for plants.

IPAs also help to implement articles 6, 7 and 8 of the CBD on biodiversity strategies and in-situ conservation, and networks of IPA experts and volunteers help to implement articles 12 and 13 on national and international co-operation.

Plantlife International along with IUCN (the World Conservation Union), act as lead partners for the implementation of Target 5 of the GSPC, and are responsible for reporting on progress and providing advice and technical support for national organisations carrying out IPA projects.

For information on IPA projects in 66 countries around the world download the 2010 Europe and Global IPA reports.

IPA data and conservation projects are available to help support many other global and European conservation initiatives