Departure of the Director General

Gland, Switzerland, December 13, 2000 (IUCN) - The Director General of IUCN -The World Conservation Union, Dr. Maritta von Bieberstein Koch-Weser, has informed IUCN's Bureau of Council of her decision to leave IUCN effective December 31, 2000, as she wishes to move her work closer to her family, and to pursue her career based primarily in Germany.

"I regret to see her leave" said Yolanda Kakabadse, President of the Union. "During her almost 2 years of tenure, the Union has under her leadership developed a new, visionary Programme, and consolidated its decentralization and its financial base. IUCN held a most successful World Conservation Congress in Amman, Jordan, as well as numerous regional and Commission meetings. The Bureau and I wish her every success in her future career, and thank her for her untiring efforts on behalf of the Union".

"IUCN has a special place in the family of international environmental institutions, bridging the Government-NGO divide. It has been inspiring and challenging to help consolidate its Secretariat functions. IUCN is a family of committed people, and I will continue to support it as a family member in the context of my future work", said Dr. Koch-Weser. "I feel a great sense of satisfaction leaving IUCN as a reformed and consolidated organization. Most tangible are the Union's new Programme, its excellent management team, and its much enhanced, worldwide administrative and communications system. I hope I contributed to serving IUCN's growing membership well, and to making the Union more widely known and recognized with the general public."

The Bureau has asked Dr. Simon Stuart to fulfill the responsibilities of the Director General pending the appointment of a successor to Dr. Koch-Weser. The Bureau will provide all necessary support to the Acting Director General until a replacement is named.