Dr. Marco Lambertini appointed as new Chief Executive of BirdLife International

Bonn, 2 March 2009 - The AEWA Secretariat would like to join many others around the world today in congratulating Dr. Marco Lambertini for his appointment as the new Chief Executive of BirdLife International as of 1 March 2009.

His appointment was announced by Peter Schei, Chairman of BirdLife's Global Council in a message to the BirdLife Partnership and in a news release entitled "Change at the top" featured on BirdLife International's website today.

"I would like to congratulate Marco on his appointment to this vital role within BirdLife International. We have worked together on several occasions and I look forward to continuing this close and good relationship with him in the years to come!" said Bert Lenten, Executive Secretary of AEWA.

After being the Director of LIPU (Italian Society for the Protection of Birds - BirdLife Italy), Dr. Lambertini has been the Director of Network and Programme at BirdLife International for the past 10 years, where he was closely involved in a number of international bird conservation projects also related to AEWA, such as the development and coordination of the Single Species Action Plan for the critically endangered Northern Bald Ibis (Geronticus eremita) the Wings Over Wetlands (WOW) UNEP-GEF African-Eurasian Flyways Project, World Migratory Bird Day (WMBD), and the new AEWA WETCAP Project for Northern Africa.

In the original BLI announcement, Dr. Mike Rands, the outgoing CEO of BirdLife International, said the following about Dr. Lambertini:

"I am delighted to congratulate Marco Lambertini on his appointment as the next BirdLife Chief Executive. Marco brings enormous knowledge, passion and skills to his new role. He is deeply committed to conservation, and has great energy and enthusiasm for this amazing organization".

The AEWA Secretariat is looking forward to continuing to work closely with BirdLife International under the new leadership of Dr. Marco Lambertini to further strengthen our existing cooperation with a view to increase international efforts to conserve migratory waterbirds across their African-Eurasian Flyways.

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