Within regions impacted by AASTMT's operations, species listed on the IUCN Red List and national conservation registries are to be protected, monitored, and sustainably managed through the implementation of the AASTMT Monitoring IUCN and Conservation Species Policy. It discourages destructive procedures that could put species in jeopardy and promotes the use of moral, non-lethal research techniques such gathering fluids, feathers, seeds, or genetic material. In addition to incorporating biodiversity awareness and the UN SDGs 13, 14, and 15 into academic curricula, student projects, and staff training, the policy guarantees yearly monitoring and reporting, including updated species lists and conservation reports.
As seen by its involvement in projects like TouMaLi (2021–2025) and representation at international forums like MEPC 82 (London, 2024), AASTMT actively connects with international frameworks like IUCN, IMO, and UNEP in addition to campus-level conservation initiatives. By implementing this policy, AASTMT strengthens its position as a regional leader in biodiversity conservation and a link between research, education, and global environmental governance.
This policy describes how Action 15.3.2 Monitoring IUCN and Conservation Species Policies is being applied throughout all campus branches of the Arab Academy for Science, Technology &Maritime Transport (AASTMT) which align with new milestone IUCN National Committee Established in Egypt, 30 JUL, 2025. The primary objective of this policy is to identify, monitor, and protect any species listed on the IUCN Red List or national conservation lists that inhabit areas affected by AASTMT’s operations. This policy aims to guide the creation and enforcement of regulations to protect these species, while encouraging ethical research practices related to endangered species. The policy applies to all members of the AASTMT community, including students, staff, contractors, vendors, and visitors.
1 Aim of policy
By updating the framework of its Monitoring IUCN and protection Species Policy in 2025, the Arab Academy for Science, Technology & Maritime Transport (AASTMT) underlined its dedication to environmental stewardship and biodiversity protection. This policy expands on previous initiatives (2023–2024) to match the university's activities with international frameworks and
national conservation priorities, such as the International Maritime Organization's Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC), the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 14 & 15), and the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
The 2025 update focusses on the convergence of academic research, campus-wide conservation practices, and worldwide participation. AASTMT is now positioning itself not only as a regional educational leader, but also as an active participant in global environmental governance. This is evidenced by its participation in the TouMaLi Project (2021-2025), which addresses marine litter in North Africa, IAMU's attendance at MEPC 82 in London (2024).
AASTMT's revised structure includes annual conservation reporting, transparent research permit systems, enhanced training programs, and expanded faculty and student roles, promoting biodiversity protection across campuses and academic disciplines.
AASTMT is dedicated to the conservation and preservation of species included on national conservation records and the IUCN Red List, making sure that all campuses and related activities actively support the preservation of biodiversity. Annual monitoring and reporting, such as the release of conservation reports, frequent revisions to species lists, and open research permission processes, are prioritized in the revised 2025 framework. In addition to advocating safe sample techniques using fluids, feathers, seeds, or genetic material, AASTMT continues to advocate for moral, non-lethal research methods and forbids destructive tactics that could put species in even greater danger. AASTMT extends its policy beyond campus limits to actively participate in regional and global efforts through cooperative research, responsible management, and relationships with local
people, regulatory bodies, and conservation organizations. Participation in the TouMaLi Project (2021–2025), which addresses marine litter in North Africa, representation at the IMO Marine Environmental Protection Committee (MEPC 82, London 2024), and alignment with the themes of the next IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 (Abu Dhabi) are examples of this commitment.
AASTMT is committed to creating a sustainable culture where biodiversity protection is fully interconnected with academic research, community involvement, and campus management. AASTMT will keep updating and fortifying its monitoring protocols in accordance with the most recent scientific discoveries, IUCN principles, and international conventions, guaranteeing proactive steps to lessen biodiversity loss and protect habitats impacted by its operations.
4.1 Standards
4.2 Forms
The AASTMT Monitoring IUCN and Conservation Species Policy (2025) Updated Action Plan offers a methodical framework for carrying out social sustainability and biodiversity conservation projects on all AASTMT campuses. This plan, which builds on the framework established in 2023–2024, ensures systematic execution and accountability by converting policy objectives into realistic activities, timelines, and quantifiable performance indicators. In addition to incorporating social protection elements like inequality, and disaster susceptibility, the action plan places a strong emphasis on species monitoring, moral non-lethal research, community awareness, education, and open research permit procedures. The TouMaLi Project (2021–2025) on marine litter reduction and AASTMT's representation of IAMU at the IMO MEPC 82 (London, 2024) are two examples of actual AASTMT efforts that are included in it. The updated action plan positions the AASTMT as a model institution in the MENA region for bridging research, education, and environmental governance by tying local campus activities with regional and international frameworks. This ensures that AASTMT makes a meaningful contribution to both national conservation priorities and the global biodiversity agenda.
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Action Item |
Responsible Party |
Timelines |
Performance Indicator |
Resources Required |
|
Prepare annual report for Events |
SDG 15 Officers |
Annual report |
Number of events & projects |
Update’s annuallyA |
|
Arrange seminars-workshops for biodiversity |
SDG 15 Officers, External Experts |
Annually |
Prepare budget for speakers and seminars |
Workshop organizer’s numbers |
|
Promote non-lethal sampling techniques |
SDG 15 Officers |
Ongoing |
Training programs |
Number of research projects using non- invasive methods |
|
Participation in International &National Events |
AASTMT Representatives |
2024-2025 |
Coordination and travel Support |
Participation Records |
|
Policy Update |
SDG 15 Officers |
Annually |
Feedback system |
Completion of revision |
10 A review program
|
Policy title |
AASTMT Monitoring IUCN & Conservation Species Policy Presenting Evidence of Events and Involvement Update-2025
|
|
Date Created: |
August 2024 |
|
Approving Body: |
SDGs Workforce Committee |
|
Version: |
2 |
|
Last Review Date |
2025 |
|
Next Review Date: |
2026 |
|
Policy Owner: |
|
|
Lead Contact: |
Prof. Dr. Kareem Tonbol TA. Elen Emad Officer: Ragga Ahmed |
|
Approval Signature
|
Dean of Scientific Research and Innovation |
This section includes evidences of AASTMT's projects, initiatives, workshops, and awareness trainings, all of which demonstrate the university's active implementation of the 2024 Monitoring IUCN and Conservation Species Policy. International collaborations, student-led innovations, marine trash reduction projects, policy discussions, and training programs are among the listed activities at all AASTMT sites. Together, these activities demonstrate AASTMT's dedication to biodiversity protection, social sustainability, and connection with IUCN global conservation priorities.
The AQAMEH MSc program (Aquatic Animals Medicine and Ecosystem Health) explicitly integrates ecosystem health as a central theme. Training students to diagnose aquatic diseases and manage aquatic habitats enhances monitoring capacity for aquatic biodiversity, including threatened or endangered aquatic species recognized by the IUCN. By improving disease surveillance and biosecurity, the project indirectly contributes to the protection of species and the reduction of biodiversity loss.
Aquatic Animals Medicine and Ecosystem
The SUMTS project aims to modernize education and training in Surveying and Mapping Technology across Egypt (AASTMT), Jordan, and Tunisia. It focuses on incorporating 3D surveying, mapping, and geospatial design into Vocational Education and Training (VET) programs.
The project supports the development of smart cities by strengthening collaboration between academia, industry, and government in land data management. It contributes to monitoring, managing, and preventing land degradation through innovative geospatial technologies and capacity building in surveying and mapping.
SUMTS Surveying and Mapping Technology for Smart City
The first significant project is the TouMaLi Project (2021–2025), which provides the basis for AASTMT's conservation evidence and actively targets marine litter pollution along the North African coast. This project Providing scientific tools and monitoring systems to track land and biodiversity status; Implementing land restoration and conservation practices that achieve LDN; Supporting IUCN-aligned conservation monitoring and strengthening regional collaboration and climate resilience through sustainable land management.
TouMali research project (2021-2025)
TouMali Research project (2021-2025)
At the 2024 Enactus AASTMT Sheraton presented two eco-friendly projects that directly support ecosystem preservation and conservation. An ecological hazard is transformed into a resource that promotes sustainable aquaculture with Aquatica, a feed formula that uses waste biomass and the invasive species water hyacinth. By lowering pollutants and safeguarding aquatic life, Rose-Carbon produces activated carbon to reduce water pollution and improve the assessment of environmental services. These programs promote biodiversity preservation, ecosystem resilience, and circular economy concepts, aligning with international frameworks such as Natura 2000.
Enactus s AASTMT Sustainability Innovative Projects
Academic training in Aquatic Microbiology was combined with the global "One Health" approach in 19 Oct, 2024 when students from AASTMT's Aquaculture Department took part in a World Health Organization (WHO) course on Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR). The environmental aspects of AMR, especially in aquatic systems, were covered in the course, along with the significance of ecosystem health in halting the loss of biodiversity. This program demonstrates AASTMT's dedication to training future leaders who can handle global environmental problems that impact both ecological and human systems, and it is in line with the IUCN policy objectives on environmental conservation, ecosystem management, and capacity building.
AASTMT’s Students of Aquaculture Department participated in course on (AMR)
AASTMT's Environmental Monitoring, Modelling, and Training Research Facilities play a key role in carrying out the IUCN Policy Action Plan. They assist evidence-based conservation by offering cutting-edge techniques for monitoring endangered species and evaluating habitat. By addressing biodiversity loss and ecological restoration through professional consulting and student training, the facilities foster capacity building. In line with the objectives of the IUCN, they also create solutions for vegetation recovery and soil protection. AASTMT incorporates sustainability into its 2021–2026 Strategic Plan and participates in international projects such as Natura 2000 and the Global Biodiversity Framework through partnerships.
Environmental Monitoring and Climate Change Laboratory
Environment Protection and Crisis Management Simulator
By avoiding land conversion and deforestation, the IUCN strategy aims to stop habitat loss. By repurposing brownfield lands, AASTMT encourages habitat preservation and lessens the need to destroy natural land. Particularly in sensitive areas like Egypt's deserts and beaches, the organization places a high priority on vegetation recovery, soil conservation, and ecological restoration. The sustainable land-use planning of AASTMT supports global guidelines and balances campus growth with biodiversity preservation.
Building on Brownfield Sites supports multiple IUCN Action Plan pillars
The International Association of Maritime Universities (IAMU) was represented by the Arab Academy for Science, Technology, and Maritime Transport (AASTMT) during the 82nd session of the Marine Environment Protection Committee (MEPC) in London during September–October 2024. This global event directly supported the IUCN's objective to protect ecosystems and endangered species by addressing important challenges at the nexus of ecosystem management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental remediation.
AASTMT represents the IAMU at the 82nd of MEPC
In addition to enhancing education, training, and policy integration, these initiatives collectively demonstrate AASTMT's contribution to the advancement of ecosystem preservation, invasive species control, soil and habitat conservation, restoration, and sustainable resource value. AASTMT makes sure that its activities directly support the IUCN Policy Action Plan by tying local campus practices to international conservation priorities.
