Countdown 2010 is one of the largest multi-stakeholder networks for biodiversity conservation and for promoting the 2010 Biodiversity Target. The Countdown 2010 initiative has built a network of nearly 1,000 partners from all sectors of society.

The year 2010 is a milestone for biodiversity. The 2010 Biodiversity Target expires and a new international commitment will be agreed by world leaders; 2010 is also the United Nations International Year of Biodiversity, the greatest opportunity ever for biodiversity to position itself on the international agenda.

Yet, that’s not all. The year 2010 also marks the final year for the Countdown 2010 initiative which was set up to help governments achieve the 2010 Target by mobilizing local actors towards biodiversity conservation.

This threefold scenario offers an unprecedented opportunity for biodiversity, but at the same time it presents a great challenge. The momentum achieved in the years after the Target was set made it possible to unite the efforts of hundreds of actors worldwide. This momentum not only has to be kept up in 2010, but boosted so that the impact of our, and your, efforts is even greater.

So…roll up your sleeves! We have lots to do to make this happen!

All Countdown 2010 partners are encouraged to organize events and set up initiatives for the International Year of Biodiversity. The Countdown 2010 team counts on you to make the IYB a successful year in Europe and beyond. Make use of the information and tools which you can find in the following section What can you do?.

20/10@20h10 in 2010!

Countdown 2010 is getting close to its end…the official closing ceremony will take place in Japan during the COP10 of the Convention on Biological Diversity on 20/10 at exactly 20h10! A celebration will also be held in Europe in December 2010 (more details to appear here soon).

The Countdown 2010 team encourages all those who are interested in participating in the celebrations to join the network!