Buenos Aires, Argentina - IUCN

Presentation to the outgoing Director General (111)
In the Closing Session, David Runnalls, Regional Councillor, with Dr Parvez
Hassan, Chair of the Commission on Environmental Law, made a presentation
to Dr Martin Holdgate, the outgoing Director General. On behalf of Council,
past and present, and on behalf of the membership, they paid tribute to Dr
Holdgate's great achievements at IUCN and expressed their deep gratitude to
him for all that he had done for the Union. During his stewardship, the Union
had redefined its mission, adopted a Strategic Plan, set in motion the regionalization
process, built up the Regional and Country Offices, and reached out
to the membership far more than ever before. Martin Holdgate had raised the
profile of the Union to new heights. In time to come, historians may see his
Director Generalship as the Union's golden age.
David Runnalls and Parvez Hassan presented Dr Holdgate with a leather
briefcase as a token of the Union's deep appreciation. To loud and continued
applause from the audience, they wished him and his wife Elizabeth health
and happiness in the future.
Closing Addresses (111)
The outgoing Director General, Dr Martin Holdgate, made his farewell speech
(Annex 14).
The incoming Director General, Ambassador David McDowell, then
addressed the Assembly (Annex 15).
The incoming President, Dr Jay Hair, whose period of office began at the
closure of this Sitting, then gave his speech (Annex 16).
The Canada State member delegation, seconded by the Zimbabwe State
member's delegation, proposed the draft motion thanking the host country.
This was approved by acclamation (Resolution 19.98).
Doña Ing. María Julia Alsogaray, Secretary of State for Natural Resources
and the Human Environment, and representative of the host country, responded
to the vote of thanks. She thanked members of IUCN for placing their
confidence in Argentina and felt that the Assembly had been very valuable for
organizations concerned with conservation and sustainable development in
her country. Bolivia and Brazil have also benefited and have joined the Union.
As the last item on the Agenda, Sir Shridath Ramphal made his concluding
speech (Annex 17). To loud applause, he thanked all the interpreters, translators
and Secretariat staff, and the local support teams, who had worked
tirelessly throughout the Assembly. He then declared the 19th Session of the
General Assembly as closed.
Before delegates left the hall, the new President, Dr Jay Hair, thanked Sir
Shridath for the service he had rendered IUCN over his Presidency. Declaring
Sir Shridath to be "one of the greatest environmental statesmen of all time", he
presented Sir Shridath with an antique silver mate as a small token of the
Union's appreciation. The State member delegation for Saudi Arabia also paid
tribute to Sir Shridath, recognizing his outstanding leadership of the Union,
and presented him with a plaque.
40 PROCEEDINGS OF THE 19TH SESSION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY