ILCN/ELCN Webinar: Understanding Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)

Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) is a conservation designation for areas that are achieving the effective in-situ conservation of biodiversity outside of protected areas. In the lead up to the 15th Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity, countries and organizations around the world are discussing how to interpret and apply OECM criteria, assess and identify OECMs in their national contexts, and develop laws, policies and processes to recognize and record OECMs. In this context, raising awareness among the global private and civic land conservation community on OECMs and how they differ and complement protected areas, including Privately Protected Areas, is increasingly important. This webinar introduces and provides background on OECMs, their role and importance for achieving targets such as conserving 30% of Earth’s land and waters by 2030, and the key opportunities and challenges they present in advancing biodiversity conservation goals. Following this introduction, speakers share experiences from countries and organizations who are working to identify OECMs and incorporate them into conservation policy and practice. The webinar concludes with an extended Q&A with speakers and additional expert panelists.