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2010 is to be a milestone year for biodiversity policy - 2010 will see a full evaluation of the delivery to the EU Biodiversity Action Plan and the UN International Year for Biodiversity. The European Commission is organising the conference 'Biodiversity Protection – Beyond 2010' to assemble an overview of current biodiversity protection, begin to clarify a post-2010 vision and prepare future strategies.

'Biodiversity Protection – Beyond 2010' will convene the main actors engaged in the development and implementation of EU biodiversity policy, together with international institutions and globally recognized experts. Eurosite is to be represented at this event by Eurosite President, Ian Jardine, and through the European Habitats Forum.

Participation is by invitation only, although in an effort to open the conference proceedings to a wide audience, the European Commission will broadcast the event on it's website using live streaming-video. The link for the live-stream will be posted on the following page:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/biodiversity/policy/index_en.htm

Background

The strategic framework for EU action to meet the target set by Heads of State and Government of halting biodiversity loss by 2010 is outlined in the Biodiversity Communication and Action Plan (BAP), adopted by the European Commission on 22 May 2006.

A mid-term assessment of the implementation of the BAP (adopted 16.12.2008) concluded that it is highly unlikely that the EU will achieve the 2010 biodiversity target - whilst acknowledging that significant developments had been made.

The Athens conference will draw on the experiences of the BAP and it's implementation, and begin to refine future vision and strategy.

For full details of the Athens conference:

http://ec.europa.eu/environment/nature/biodiversity/policy/index_en.htm