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News Release
Her Majesty Queen Noor announces formation of new group "Friends of IUCN" to assist World Conservation Union members and commissions
 Amman, Jordan, October 4, 2000 (IUCN) - Her Majesty Queen Noor of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan announced today the creation of a new environmental think-tank to advise and support the efforts of the Members Organisations and Commissions of IUCN-The World Conservation Union.
Called "Friends of IUCN," the small group will be made up of respected leaders from diverse backgrounds that have established records in commitment to the environment. Among the members are Maurice Strong, chairman of the Earth Council, Edward O. Wilson of the Museum of Comparative Zoology at Harvard University, Klaus Schwab, president of the World Economic Forum and Klaus Topfer, director of the United Nations Environmental Programme.
"Friends of IUCN will provide a window for substantive dialogue, much like an advisory think tank," said Her Majesty Queen Noor, Patron of IUCN, who will also be a member of the group. "It is our hope that its Friends will assist IUCN in making an even greater difference on Earth - to develop even more fully its potential as the world's foremost umbrella organisation of environmental institutions and experts." Her Majesty Queen Noor, speaking at the first annual Earth Forum, an informal dialogue between environmental and business leaders about environmental concerns in the 21st century, made her remarks as the eight-day World Conservation Congress opened. The full list of Friends of IUCN members will be released at a later date.
Created in 1948, IUCN - The World Conservation Union brings together 78 states, 112 government agencies, 735 NGOs, 35 affiliates, and some 10,000 scientists and experts from 181 countries in a unique worldwide partnership. IUCN’s mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies throughout the world to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable. IUCN is the world's largest environmental knowledge network and has helped over 75 countries to prepare and implement national conservation and biodiversity strategies. IUCN is a multi-cultural, multilingual organisation with 1000 staff located in 42 countries. Its headquarters are in Gland, Switzerland.
For further information, please contact Josue Anselmo, Head, Communication Unit.
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