Within the framework of the Spanish presidency of the EU, the Spanish government has organised the European Conference “Post-2010 Biodiversity Goal and Vision. The role of protected areas and ecological networks in Europe”, which will be held in Madrid on 26 and 27 January 2010.

Within the framework of the Spanish presidency of the EU, the Spanish government has organised the European Conference “Post-2010 Biodiversity Goal and Vision. The role of protected areas and ecological networks in Europe”, which will be held in Madrid on 26 and 27 January 2010.

During 2010, the implementation of the 2010 target, agreed in 2002 at global level and a year earlier for the EU, will have to be critically analysed and evaluated. In addition, the challenge of defining, agreeing and approving a new post-2010 target will have to be faced.

The aim of this conference is to stimulate a constructive debate on the post-2010 biodiversity target at EU level, encouraging broad participation. In addition, part of the conference will focus on the implementation of the CBD programme of work on protected areas, as an example of a successful initiative to achieve the 2010 target.

On the other hand, the conference will serve as the launch at the European level of the International Year of Biological Diversity.

It will be attended by high-level representatives of 48 European states, entities and organizations such as UNEP, UNESCO, OECD, the European Commission, International Conventions (CBD, BONN Convention and its agreements, RAMSAR, OSPAR, Barcelona Convention, Alpine Convention, Bucharest Convention and Carpathian Convention), representatives of the autonomous communities, IUCN, EUROPARC, NGOs, experts and other actors.