Margarita Astrálaga appointed new Director for IUCN Centre for Meditrerranean Cooperation, Spain

12 December 2006

The World Conservation Union (IUCN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Margarita Astrálaga as Director of the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation in Malaga, Spain.

Margarita is a Colombian national and well known to many people in conservation circles, especially through the work she has done for UNEP on ocean and coastal zone management, for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and currently for the Ramsar Convention where she holds the position of Senior Adviser – Americas and Global Officer for Marine and Coastal issues.

She brings to the position an extensive knowledge of conservation issues, including in the Mediterranean, and is committed to strengthening the Mediterranean Programme's support for IUCN members within the Mediterranean basin. Her mother tongue is Spanish, and she also speaks English and French, and understands Italian and Portuguese. Her professional competence, international experience and dynamic personality will enable her to perform her tasks with confidence, political judgement and diplomatic skill.

Margarita will take up her position and relieve Acting Director Mr. Rami Salman in Malaga on 1 March, 2007.

For more information, please contact:

• Jean-Yves Pirot, Senior Programme Coordinator, IUCN Headquarters, Switzerland;
  Jean-Yves.Pirotiucn.org
• Rami Salman, Acting Director, IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation, Spain;
  Rami.Salmaniucn.org