Jan Ernst de Groot new Chair of Wetlands International

Jane Madgwick, CEO of Wetlands International:

“As Wetlands International embarks on implementing its new ten year Strategy (2011-2020), we are mindful of the need to continue to adapt to a fast changing external environment, with new challenges and opportunities for our organisation. In this respect, we are delighted to gain the support of Jan Ernst de Groot as our new Chair. His record shows him to be an energetic leader and a creative and strategic thinker, who has worked within the business sector to generate international action to tackle the linked issues of biodiversity loss and climate change.“

Jan Ernst de Groot:

“I am happy that more and more business and political leaders are recognizing the unique values of wetlands for water, food, flood control and climate resilience. Wetland carbon for example is the lowest hanging fruit in terms of reducing CO2 emissions from land. Still, wetlands remain the most threatened ecosystems on the planet. As Chair of Wetlands International, I aim to help position this global organization of great professionals to develop partnerships with businesses, policy-makers and other stakeholders in order to ensure that wetlands restoration and conservation become an integral part of their actions against global warming, poverty and shortages of food and water.”

 The Supervisory Council is in charge of the overall supervision of the general course of affairs within Wetlands International and oversees the implementation of its policies and Strategy. The Council also appoints the members of the Management Board.

Mr de Groot follows Dr Gordana Beltram, Director of the Škocjan Caves Park in Slovenia. Dr Beltram was Chair from November 2007 to June this year.

 More information:
Contact:

Alex Kaat

Manager Communications and Advocacy
Wetlands International
Tel. +31 318 660912
Mobile: +31 (0)6 5060 1917
alex.kaat@wetlands.org