A Boost for the Bbbbs Bonn, Brussels, Berlin for biodiversity!
20 March 2009. More urban areas are part of Countdown 2010! The City of Bonn and the Brussels Capital-Region formalised their biodiversity commitments by joining Countdown 2010 and strengthening actions to protect urban biodiversity.
On 10 March, the old Town Hall of Bonn welcomed the participants of the High-level working group on the 2010 biodiversity target and post-2010 target to celebrate the City’s ongoing and renewed efforts for biodiversity. The city has been an active partner in the Local Action for Biodiversity Initiative (LAB) and similar to the other 21 cities in this network it is currently implementing a five step approach for developing and implementing a local biodiversity strategy and action plan (LBSAP).
On 16 March, the Minister for the Environment of the Brussels Capital-Region, Ms. Huytebroeck, followed suit and signed the Countdown 2010 Declaration and was the first city to join the second wave of LAB cities. The Capital-Region seized this opportunity to seal its commitment to the Durban Declaration. Among other 2010 actions, Brussels will develop a periodical assessment of biodiversity conservation from 2009 onwards and move forward in protecting local endangered species.
Almost a year after the joint signing ceremony that gathered 18 local authorities and organizations in Berlin, the city administration has once again reaffirmed its intention to fulfil its obligations for the 2010 target. Many Countdown 2010 partners, local NGOs and authorities gathered for the opening of an exhibition on biodiversity and Countdown 2010. More information will be available in the next few weeks.
