Convention+on+Biological+Diversity+COP9

·   Bonn   is the last formal international gathering where meaningful progress toward the achievement of the 2010 biodiversity target can be made**////**. “We need to act now to stop the destruction of life on this planet,”**//// says Sebastian Winkler, Head of IUCN’s Countdown 2010. ////“Although, governments have promised to save biodiversity by 2010, they will not achieve this target alone. With less than 1000 days left, more than 600 Countdown 2010 partners stand ready to assist in moving from words to action.////**// //”//  // ·   The role women play in biodiversity must be recognized in Bonn. **////**“Women are powerful agents of change, playing a key role in energy consumption, deforestation and economic growth,”**//// says Lorena Aguilar Revelo, Head of IUCN’s Gender Programme. ////“Ministers in Bonn must listen to the experience of women when deciding on the future of our planet.”////** ·   Governments must take into account the economic cost of losing biodiversity. **////**“As the world wakes up to the accelerating loss of biological diversity, businesses are increasingly viewing biodiversity conservation as a potential profit centre,”**//// says Julia Marton- Lefèvre, Director General of IUCN. ////“Governments must look to policy reforms to increase the commercial rewards for conserving biodiversity.”////** ·   Climate change and biodiversity loss are interlinked. **////**“The problem of c**////** ****//  //limate change and biodiversity loss//  //******//  //**requires precise and decisive action from delegates in Bonn,”**//  //****  **says Julia Marton-Lefèvre, Director General of IUCN////. “We need////** ****//  //**sophisticated and uncompromised strategies to address these issues – the world expects nothing less.”**//  //** Wed 23 April 1100-1300 - CBD Media Briefing, Bonn. Mon 19 May - Opening Press Statement Tue 20 May 1500-1530 - Press Briefing in CBD Media Centre Wed 21 May 1400-1430 - Press Briefing on CBD Gender Plan of Action Thu 22 May 1500-1530 - Press Briefing in CBD Media Centre Mon 26 to Fri 30 May - Daily Media Brief distributed daily around 0900 local time Tue 27 May 1500-1530 - Press Briefing in CBD Media Centre Thu 29 May 0830-1000 - Press Briefing Women Ministers and Environment Leaders Thu 29 May 1500-1530 - Press Briefing in CBD Media Centre Fri 30 May - Closing Press Statement
 * __  **Media Advisory**   __**
 * **Convention on Biological Diversity COP9**  **** **19-30 May, Bonn** **
 * __ **Background:**  __**  The [|Convention on Biological Diversity] (CBD), with 168 Parties signing since 1993, aims to promote "the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources." The high level ministerial segment will be during the second week (28-30 May). Several other high level events are planned for the second week including the Mayors Conference “Local Action for Biodiversity” (26-28 May) and the Global Island Partnership event (27 May).
 * __ **Key Issues:**  __**
 * __ **Events and Material for Media:**  __**
 * **IUCN Booth and Interview Lounge where press can speak with IUCN experts – open throughout CBD at ////Kiesinger Straße, area 4, booth No. 80////.**  **
 * **All related press materials, audio, video, photos and blogs can be downloaded at: [|http://cms.iucn.org/media /packs/index.cfm]**  **
 * __  **Spokespersons:**   __**   Julia Marton-Lefèvre, IUCN’s Director General. Bill Jackson, IUCN’s Deputy Director General. Jeffrey McNeely, IUCN’s Chief Scientist. Jane Smart, Head of IUCN’s Species Programme. Carl Gustaf Lundin, Head of IUCN’s Marine Programme. Sebastian Winkler, Head of IUCN’s Countdown 2010. Lorena Aguilar Revelo, Head of IUCN’s Gender Programme.
 * __  **Media team:**   __**** **Brian Thomson** **, IUCN Global Communications, m +417972182326, brian.thomson@iucn.org. ****Sarah Halls,**** IUCN Global Communications, t +41795283486, e sarah.halls@iucn.org. ****Wiebke Herding****, IUCN Global Communications, t +49 177240 9042 e wiebke.herding@iucn.org.