UICN - Union internationale pour la conservation de la nature

Miklós Persányi, Hungary

18 April 2012 | Article

Miklós Persányi served as the President of the COP 9 of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in 2003/2004. He sat on the EU Environmental Ministers’ Council, and the UNEP Governing Council. He also served as elected Chairman of the 300 member strong European Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

His career started teaching biology in high schools and later he was senior environmental specialist at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (1991-94) in London. He directed Budapest Zoo and Botanical Gardens between 1994-2003, and transformed it into a unique centre for conservation education and breeding, running joint conservation projects with IUCN Members.

Between 2003 and 2007 he served as Minister for Environment and Water of Hungary during which time he established Natura 2000 sites over 21 per cent of the country, set up a network of eco-schools, launched integrated ecological flood control and contributed to keeping Hungary GMO free. After his government assignment he returned to Budapest Zoo.

He is a member of the Environmental Committee of the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and The Balaton Group, a Humphrey Alumnus, an Ashoka Fellow and an Honorary Professor.

Miklós’ rich government and institution management experience would contribute to the efficient work of the Council and he would create direct links between the hundreds of conservation conscious zoos and IUCN.

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Note that Miklós Persányi will communicate in English.