Mr Willy Geiger to take up seat on IUCN Council
Bern, 07.11.2008 - Mr Willy Geiger, Vice-Director of the Federal Office for the Environment, was nominated to become a member of the Council of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). He will take up the seat reserved for the Swiss Confederation in its capacity as host country.
Founded in 1948, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (UICN) brings together 80 states, 120 governmental bodies, over 800 NGOs, and around 10,000 experts and scientists from 181 countries in a worldwide partnership for the conservation of nature. It is the largest international knowledge network for environmental issues. The IUCN has, for example, refined the methodology used to compile the Red List of threatened plant and animal species at international and national levels. The organisation is based in Gland, near Geneva.
The main functions of the IUCN Council that Mr. Geiger will join are similar to those of a board of directors. It provides strategic direction for the IUCN, approves the budget and oversees the implementation of the organisation's programme.
Mr. Geiger succeeds Mr. Pierre Hunkeler, a biologist and consultant to a number of international organisations, whose term of office has come to an end. The Swiss Confederation would like to express its gratitude to Mr. Hunkeler for his distinguished services.
Address for enquiries
Willy Geiger, Vice-Director OFEN, + 41 79 687 11 67
Publisher
Federal Office for the Environment FOEN
https://www.bafu.admin.ch/en
