Austria and Flanders sign the Declaration during the CoP9
The Ninth Meeting of the Parties (CoP9, 19-30May, Bonn) proved to be an excellent opportunity for many local administrations to clebrate biodiversity and joinforced with the Countdown 2010 network in reaching the 2010 biodiversity target .
The festive atmosphere comprising Austrian wines, music and celebration in the area devoted to exhibition of the national activities provided a perfect backdrop for the signing ceremony of the Austrian Ministry for the Environment . The Minister, Mr. Josef Proell, signed the declaration together with the Vice-President of IUCN, Mrs. Purificacio Canals, on May 28th.
The following day, it was Mrs. Hilde Crevits, Minister of Public Works, Energy, Environment and Nature to sign the Countdown 2010 Declaration on behalf of the Region of Flanders (northern Belgium). During the signing ceremony, Mrs. Crevits spoke of Flanders’ long-standing commitment to the environment, carried out through practical projects and setting up partnerships with landowners, land users and other departments.
“I therefore felt it important to make these efforts known through the signing of the Charter and at the same time to be part of this network of active partners,” commented Mrs. Crevits, “At the same time, it is clear that de objectives of the Charter represent a huge challenge for Flanders. Being a highly urbanised and densely populated region, there is certainly a need to increase efforts for the conservation and restoration of natural values, especially through improved awareness and participation at all levels.”
“In the coming weeks,”concluded the Minister, “I want to bring together a task-force of local and provincial governments in order to share experiences and maximize the capacities and goodwill that exists.”
