Speech by Rafael Benitez, Director of Social Rights, Health and Environment
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Dear Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is a great honour and a sincere pleasure to welcome you, on behalf of the Council of Europe, to this celebration of the 60th anniversary of the European Diploma for Protected Areas - a distinguished recognition of Europe’s most exceptional natural sites, and a living testament to our continent’s shared commitment to conservation, sustainability, and environmental responsibility.
Today, we are gathered not only to honour a prestigious accolade, but to celebrate the remarkable community of people and places it represents. Over six decades, the European Diploma has become more than just an award. It is a community of excellence, a network of guardianship, and a beacon demonstrating that conservation - when backed by rigorous standards and international cooperation - can deliver lasting, tangible results.
Let me begin by expressing my deep gratitude to the Spanish authorities who made this event possible:
- To the Government of Andalusia and the Municipality of Granada, we extend our heartfelt appreciation. You have welcomed us to a city that is itself a symbol of the fusion between natural beauty and cultural heritage - home to the Alhambra, the Generalife, and the Albayzín, timeless witnesses to the harmonious coexistence of people and nature.
- To the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, thank you for your enduring support and for actively expanding the presence of the European Diploma across Spain.
- And to the Sierra Nevada National and Natural Park, whose exemplary leadership and commitment to conservation are truly inspiring. We very much hope to welcome Sierra Nevada into the family of Diploma-holding areas soon - a recognition it richly deserves.
We are here to celebrate 60 years of the European Diploma, launched in 1965 as a pioneering initiative of the Council of Europe. Today, it honours 66 protected areas across 27 countries - forming a “select club” that upholds the highest standards in the preservation of Europe’s natural heritage. Joining this circle is no small feat. Each application undergoes rigorous scrutiny by independent experts and the Group of Specialists, and the Diploma is awarded only to those sites that demonstrate outstanding biodiversity, scenic value, and exemplary governance.
What makes the European Diploma truly unique is its conditional and time-limited nature. It must be periodically renewed through comprehensive review - ensuring that sites not only remain beautiful, but also functional, resilient, and continuously improving. The possibility of withdrawal in cases of threat or mismanagement serves as both a deterrent and a powerful incentive for good governance and ecological vigilance.
Today is also an occasion of long-awaited recognition. We are delighted to formally present the European Diploma to the Regional Park of Gallipoli Cognato, in Basilicata, Italy - an honour conferred in 2020, but whose celebration was delayed due to the global pandemic. Five years later, we finally salute in person the outstanding work of Director Mr. Delorenzo and his dedicated team, who have stewarded this remarkable landscape through challenging times with vision and care.
Covering nearly 27,000 hectares, Gallipoli Cognato is a site of rare ecological and cultural richness. It shelters ancient deciduous forests, sandstone cliffs, and archaeological treasures. It protects endangered species such as the Black Stork, the Italian Hare, and the Otter - emblem of the Bern Convention. It embodies the very essence of what this award stands for: conservation rooted in science, culture, and community. With this addition, Italy holds eight Diploma sites - a powerful testament to its leadership and environmental commitment. Italy will also hold the ministerial conference to mark the 25th anniversary of the Council of Europe Convention on Landscape, the Florence Convention, precisely in Florence next October.
The Council of Europe has long recognised that environmental protection is inseparable from democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. This understanding was powerfully reaffirmed at the Reykjavik Summit in May 2023, where member states declared the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment a core human right - for current and future generations alike.
In the wake of that summit, two landmark initiatives were adopted:
- A Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law, reinforcing our collective ability to combat environmental crime across borders.
- A Strategy on the Environment, placing ecological protection within the wider framework of democratic governance and the rule of law.
The Secretary General has also launched a Democratic Pact for Europe, where environmental protection plays a central role in renewing democratic legitimacy.
This celebration is more than a retrospective - it is a moment for learning, sharing, and co-creating. The Round Table of Managers, taking place alongside today’s ceremony, exemplifies this spirit.
Over the next two days, we will explore innovative examples from across Europe:
- How protected areas are adapting to climate change and extreme weather;
- How traditional water management systems still sustain mountain regions;
- How visitor pressure can be balanced with habitat protection;
- How species like the Iberian Lynx are being rescued from extinction;
- And how communities - Alpine shepherds, coastal dwellers - are playing key roles in conservation.
This round table is not just a celebration. It is a laboratory for innovation, a platform for solidarity, and a space for practical problem-solving. Our aim is to move from a loose network of excellence to a truly cohesive and representative system - one that reflects the full diversity of Europe’s ecosystems. This includes addressing underrepresentation, particularly of coastal, marine, steppe, and moorland habitats, and strengthening our collective voice for resources and political support.
One of the most significant outcomes of this event is the adoption of the Granada Declaration - a powerful expression of the shared vision and renewed commitment of the European Diploma community.
The Declaration reaffirms the enduring value of the European Diploma as an instrument of excellence in conservation and calls for an ambitious expansion of its scope and impact. It underscores the urgency of designating more protected areas - especially in underrepresented ecosystems such as marine and Mediterranean mountain habitats.
It also raises critical challenges: many Diploma sites remain underfinanced; some lack comprehensive Management Plans. The Declaration calls on all responsible authorities to ensure adequate funding, sufficient technical and human resources, and the adoption of robust, forward-looking planning frameworks.
A core pillar of the Declaration is the role of local communities - not merely as beneficiaries, but as stewards, stakeholders, and co-creators of sustainable futures. It calls for fair, inclusive, and gender-balanced participation in conservation efforts - recognising the vital links between identity, cohesion, and environmental stewardship.
Perhaps most importantly, the Declaration strengthens the link between environmental protection and human rights. Echoing the Reykjavik Declaration, it reaffirms the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment. It calls for the full implementation of the Council of Europe’s Strategy on the Environment and encourages member states to sign and ratify the new Convention on Environmental Protection through Criminal Law - strengthening Europe’s defences against environmental crime.
The Granada Declaration concludes with a collective call to action - for national and regional governments, local authorities, civil society, and the Council of Europe - to work together to grow, strengthen, and give greater visibility to the European Diploma network, mobilise resources, and secure the political support it needs to thrive.
We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to the success of this event - from the Regional Government of Andalusia and the Municipality of Granada, to the Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition, the dedicated staff of Sierra Nevada National Park, and the committed managers and teams from protected areas across Europe.
Dear friends,
You - the managers and guardians of Diploma sites - are the unsung heroes of environmental stewardship. Your work, often invisible to the broader public, is indispensable to the future of Europe’s natural and cultural legacy. At a time when environmental action is more necessary - and sometimes more politically fraught - than ever, your expertise, resilience, and dedication inspire us all.
Let the Granada Declaration be our roadmap for the coming decade. Let it remind us that excellence is not a destination - it is a daily commitment, renewed in every action, every policy, every decision.
The Council of Europe stands firmly by your side. We will continue to support your work, amplify your successes, and defend the principles that this award represents.
Together, let us protect, strengthen, and celebrate the natural treasures entrusted to us.
Let this 60th anniversary not only mark a milestone - but ignite a renewed commitment to the future. Let us grow this community in size, diversity, and ambition, and ensure that Europe’s most cherished natural sites do not merely survive - but thrive.
Thank you - for your presence, your passion, and your tireless service.