The World Conservation Union helps European countries to implement the Biodiversity Convention

21 March 2006, Curitiba, Brazil. Europe is getting a step closer to the implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). A new network between the EU focal points for National Biodiversity Strategy Action Plans (NBSAP), responsible for the implementation of the CBD in their countries, will be set up with support of the World Conservation Union (IUCN).

That was the main outcome of a side event held by the IUCN Regional Office for Europe (ROfE) on 21 March 2006 under the 8th Conference of the Parties to the CBD. The event, organized upon request of the French Ministry of Environment, responded to a general need of information and best practice exchange between the NBSAP focal points who until now work in relative isolation from each other.

Representatives of Denmark, France, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, IUCN ROfE and the French IUCN National Committee attended the meeting. Finland expressed interest in being part of the network. They decided to start exchanging information informally, including through an internet forum, a new website and regular meetings.

The World Conservation Union will provide the secretariat of the new network, with financial support of France.

• CBD: National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans
• EEA: Biodiversity Clearing House Mechanism
• IUCN Regional Office for Europe