Press release | 25 Mei, 2008

Bonn delegates must listen to G8 call to action, IUCN

THE LATEST – As the CBD meeting enters its second week, delegates must bring a renewed sense of vigor to the negotiations here in Bonn. The G8 Environment Ministers meeting in Japan made a clear call this weekend for countries to put in place measures that slow biodiversity loss by 2010 – the CBD must meet this challenge head on.

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Photo: IUCN

THE QUOTE – “If the message on protecting biodiversity is getting through to the G8 then surely it’s time the players here at the CBD turned those words into hard and fast action,” says Constanza Martinez, Head of IUCN’s CBD Delegation. “The role of biodiversity in reducing poverty cannot be over-emphasized. It’s of paramount importance that we integrate conservation of the world’s biodiversity into our economic planning.”

Background: The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), with 168 Parties signing since 1993, aims to promote "the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources." The high level ministerial segment will be during the second week (28-30 May). Several other high level events are planned for the second week including the Mayors Conference “Local Action for Biodiversity” (26-28 May) and the Global Island Partnership event (27 May).

Key Issues:
• Bonn is the last formal international gathering where meaningful progress toward the achievement of the 2010 biodiversity target can be made.
• The role women play in biodiversity must be recognized in Bonn.
• Governments must take into account the economic cost of losing biodiversity.
• Climate change and biodiversity loss are interlinked.

Events and Material for Media:
Mon 26 to Fri 30 May - Daily Media Brief distributed daily around 0900 local time
Mon 26 May 1815-1945 - Preview of Nature Inc series, Saal Reger, Maritim Hotel

Invitation to Press
Tuesday 27 May - 1500-1530
IUCN Press Briefing
Main Press Room in Media Centre - Basement of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research, Heinemannstrasse 2, Bonn

Tue 27 May 1900 - Islands Initiative & Global Island Partnership (GLISPA) reception – radhika.murti@iucn.org
Thu 29 May 0830-1000 - Press Briefing Women Ministers and Environment Leaders
Thu 29 May 1500-1530 - IUCN Press Briefing in CBD Media Centre
Fri 30 May - Closing Press Statement

IUCN Booth and Interview Lounge where press can speak with IUCN experts – open throughout CBD at Kiesinger Straße, area 4, booth No. 80. All related press materials, audio, video, photos and blogs can be downloaded at: http://cms.iucn.org/media/packs/index.cfm

Spokespersons: Julia Marton-Lefèvre, IUCN’s Director General. Bill Jackson, IUCN’s Deputy Director General. Jeffrey McNeely, IUCN’s Chief Scientist. Jane Smart, Head of IUCN’s Species Programme. Carl Gustaf Lundin, Head of IUCN’s Marine Programme. Sebastian Winkler, Head of IUCN’s Countdown 2010. Lorena Aguilar Revelo, Head of IUCN’s Gender Programme

Media team: Brian Thomson, IUCN Global Communications, m+491706938536 brian.thomson@iucn.org. Sarah Halls, IUCN Global Communications, m+49170 7214198 e sarah.halls@iucn.org. Wiebke Herding, IUCN Global Communications, t +49 177240 9042 e wiebke.herding@iucn.org.