CETAF’s 56th General Assembly will take place on November 18-19, 2024, in Madrid, Spain, hosted by the Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN) – Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC). This assembly introduces a new format: the first “Directors’ Summit,” where museum directors will gather to refine CETAF’s Strategy 2025-2030. This high-level meeting aims to harness the expertise of leaders from natural science museums across Europe, providing crucial insights for CETAF’s future direction.
With over 11 million specimens and more than 300,000 annual visitors, the MNCN, a founding member of CETAF, is led by Rafael Zardoya. He expressed excitement about hosting the summit and its new approach: “It’s an honor to host the CETAF General Assembly and connect with the CETAF community. This new format, in particular, has the potential to energize our activities and set us up for future challenges,” Zardoya stated. “CETAF’s role in supporting policymakers with scientific data and biodiversity insights is essential, and it’s our responsibility to encourage decision-makers to integrate this knowledge into legislation. Additionally, as museum scientists, we’re committed to fostering public respect for nature and envisioning sustainable development that aligns with environmental values. When society embraces these priorities, political action will follow.”
CETAF President Edwin Van Huis, Director of Naturalis, highlighted the significance of this inaugural summit: “This first Directors’ Summit marks a pivotal step forward in CETAF’s strategic outreach and impact,” he noted. “For the first time, over 55 directors of Natural Science Museums will convene. The timing is especially critical, as we meet shortly after COP16 in Colombia on biodiversity and amid COP29 in Azerbaijan, both key moments for global environmental policy. At this summit, we’ll emphasize the urgency of supporting the Global Biodiversity Framework, the Green New Deal, the Nature Restoration Law, and all legislation to preserve our planet’s biodiversity. With our scientific collections, research, and expertise, we aim to craft a unified vision and strategy to advance CETAF’s mission in the years ahead.”
