Finland Times

Helsinki, February 1- The Environment Ministry Counsellor,  Marina von Weissenberg has been elected as Vice-President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature(IUCN ) for the next three year term, said a government press release on Thursday.

Von Weissenberg along with Miguel Pellerano of Argentina, John Robinson of USA and Malik Amin Aslam Khan of Pakistan were elected the vice-presidents for the term 2013-2016 at a meeting of the IUCN Council held at Gland in Switzerland this week.

IUCN's President, Zhang Xinsheng of China, was elected at the Members' Assembly during the IUCN World Conservation Congress in September 2012 in South Korea..

The IUCN Council is responsible for strategic direction, policy guidance, and fiduciary duties following decisions made at the IUCN Members' Assembly. Experience, gender balance and geographical distribution are all weighed when choosing the Vice-Presidents.

Von Weissenberg  having long term experience in international cooperation in the field of biodiversity is currently serving her second four-year term as IUCN Regional Councillor for West Europe.

Earlier, Weissenberg was the Chair of the IUCN National Committee of Finland from 2002 to 2009 and served six years as the Secretary for the National Committee. She is a member of IUCN's National Committee of Finland, the press release added.