New IUCN Director General

Ms. Julia Marton-Lefèvre - a global expert and leader in development and conservation - has been appointed Director General of the World Conservation Union (IUCN), the world’s leading conservation authority. “I am greatly honoured by the opportunity to serve the Union as its next Director General. Nature and conservation are part and parcel of the world’s struggle for development, peace and security. I am dedicated to work with the Union’s powerful network of 1,000 member organizations and 10,000 experts to demonstrate the importance of conservation to a fairer and greener planet, as a continuation of my life-long dedication to the inter-related issues of conservation, environment, development, and peace and security,” said Ms. Marton-Lefèvre. Ms. Marton-Lefèvre will take up her position on 1 January 2007.