VII Parks Dinarides Conference – Global and European Perspectives on Protected Areas

Parks Dinarides is organizing the VII Conference of the Dinarides Protected Areas Network, which will be held from December 2 to 4, 2025, in Podgorica at the VOCO Hotel. This year’s edition is dedicated to global and European perspectives on protected area management, with a special focus on current international trends, European integration, and innovative models for natural resource management.

The conference is being implemented in cooperation with the Ministry of Ecology, Sustainable Development and Northern Development of Montenegro, with the support of the GEF 7 project “Integrating Biodiversity into Sectoral Policies and Practices and Strengthening the Protection of Key Biodiversity Areas in Montenegro.” Technical support for preparation and implementation is provided by EUROPARC Federation and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Conference Program:

First Day:
Participants will take part in the Dinaric World Café — a dynamic and interactive session designed for the exchange of ideas, showcasing successful initiatives, and strengthening cross-sector cooperation. Presentations will include regional examples of good practices in nature protection, such as:
• nomination of the Skadar Lake Watershed as a transboundary biosphere reserve,
• the United for Rivers program,
• initiatives for the conservation of the Ulcinj Salt Flats,
• and the process of establishing a public institution for protected area management in the Zenica-Doboj Canton.

Second Day:
The opening session includes welcoming remarks from representatives of Montenegro’s Ministry of Ecology, Parks Dinarides, EUROPARC Federation, and IUCN, followed by a series of themed panels:
• Global and European Trends in Nature Conservation, featuring experts from EUROPARC, IUCN, Parks Dinarides, and institutions from Montenegro, Croatia, and Italy;
• European Integration and Natura 2000, focusing on efforts by Dinaric region countries to establish and manage the Natura 2000 network as a key element of EU accession;
• Modern Tools for Protected Area Management, showcasing innovative tools such as digital platforms and monitoring systems for improved planning and nature conservation.

The second day concludes with the Parks Dinarides Assembly and the traditional Dinarides Bazaar.

Third Day:
Two parallel sessions will be held:
• Panel on Biodiversity Integration into Sectoral Planning, focusing on ways to include nature in spatial planning, forestry, agriculture, and tourism;
• Workshop on Future Cooperation Modalities between Parks Dinarides and EUROPARC Federation, discussing models for long-term cooperation.
The final panel will address nature restoration, with examples from the region and dialogue on challenges and opportunities. The conference will conclude with the adoption of conference conclusions and a joint lunch for participants.

Agenda is available here.