12 March 2010, Gland (Switzerland). The Advisory Board of Countdown 2010 met on Monday 8 March in the first of its biannual meetings for 2010. The main outcome of the meeting was a clear way forward for 2010 – the International Year of Biodiversity and fruitful exchanges on the future of the Countdown 2010 initiative.
For the first time, one of the biannual meetings was held in Gland at IUCN Headquarters. Thanks to this, the meeting benefited from the participation of some of IUCN senior management including the Director General Julia Marton-Lefevre and the Deputy Director General Bill Jackson.
The Board praised Countdown 2010 for its latest achievements and activities, including reaching 1,000 partners, and encouraged the Secretariat to continue and strengthen its efforts until the end of the year.
“The meetings with the Advisory Board have been crucial in the past to define the plan of action for Countdown 2010. This year more than ever the advice of the Board is welcome to ensure that the initiative plays its role during the International Year of Biodiversity” said Hans Friederich, IUCN Regional Director (a.i.) for Pan-Europe.
The Advisory Board is one of the core elements of the Countdown 2010 initiative. Among its main functions are:
- strategic guidance to the Secretariat;
- advice on themes to be promoted during EU Presidencies and during the IYB;
- identify future Countdown 2010 activities; and
- advice and assistance to the Secretariat on communication.
Find out more about the Board here.