Dear Members, dear readers,

Welcome to this special newsletter dedicated to the European Conservation Forum which took place in Bonn, Germany from 6 to 9 September.

The nine months since the end of the International Year of Biodiversity have created some hope for the future of nature in Europe, but the overall state of biodiversity in the region is still far from satisfactory. 

IUCN in Europe flicks the switch

More than 170 people from all parts of IUCN gathered in Bonn, Germany for the European Conservation Forum this week. Member organizations and Commission members from more than 25 countries discussed and debated the Union’s work across the region, with a particular focus on the next IUCN Programme, to run from 2013 to 2016. 

From Bonn to Jeju

Julia Marton-Lefèvre, IUCN Director General, presents the World Conservation Congress which will take place in 2012 and explains the role of Regional Conservation Forums. She also shares her thoughts on how European Members can contribute effectively to the Congress.

Voices from the Forum

Members, Commission experts and representatives from National Committees share their views on the European Conservation Forum.

Watch the video on the Forum and the interviews with representatives of IUCN constituency.

European biodiversity: where we are and where to go

A special panel comprising high-level representative of some of IUCN partners debated the current challenges of biodiversity in Europe and the role IUCN should play to solve them, at the European Conservation Forum yesterday. Here are some of the ideas which arose from the debate.

An environmental democracy: the Regional Conservation Forum

IUCN is a membership-based organisation and its Members form the highest decision-making body at the World Conservation Congress every four years. During this Congress’ General Assembly of Members, the representatives of the Council for the coming term are elected, the programme of work for the subsequent quadrennial period is discussed and approved and the associated financial plan is endorsed.

Calling for a bottom-up approach towards a global forest governance

"We have to fight against a worrying situation in order to save the threatened forests of this planet" said H.S.H Prince Albert II of Monaco at the high level conference in the European Parliament (EP) celebrating the 2011 - International Year of Forests.
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Russia may lose the EU timber market

Russia may not be able to export timber to the EU anymore if effective measures to stop illegal logging are not taken in the country as soon as possible. Ways of addressing this challenge were discussed...
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A new trademark for European agrobiodiversity

The SAVE Foundation, an IUCN Member, is in the process of launching a trademark for the marketing of products and services from European agrobiodiversity. As a part of this process a public consultation is being held to discuss the "terms of reference" and the “conditions for use”.
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Mainstreaming biodiversity into development cooperation

Next week, from 4 to 6 October, IUCN Regional Directors and representatives from countries in the African Caribbean Pacific (ACP) region will visit Brussels to strengthen cooperation between IUCN and the European Union.
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IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature) © 2011

IUCN helps the world find pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges. It supports scientific research, manages field projects all over the world and brings governments, non-government organizations, United Nations agencies, companies and local communities together to develop and implement policy, laws and best practice. IUCN Regional Office for Europe covers the whole of Europe and North and Central Asia and is IUCN’s largest programmatic region.

Photo credits: Hans Friederich, IUCN; RCF Europe, IUCN; Wood industry, WWF Russia; Field, thegreenpages/Flickr; Bushmen, Botswana, * hiro008/Flickr