Check against delivery - Speech by Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Ms Ángeles ALBERT DE LEON, General Director of Cultural Heritage and Fine Arts, Spain

Ministers,

Deputy Ministers,

Distinguished Guests,

Dear Friends,

In July, as we celebrated its 60^th anniversary, the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe approved the award of the European Diploma for Protected Areas, for the first time in five years.

I warmly congratulate the recipient — the Sierra Nevada National Park, Nature Park and Biosphere Reserve, and Mr Francisco de Asís Muñoz Collado, Director of the Park, who is here to accept the Diploma.

The Sierra Nevada, this spectacular area, covering nearly 172,000 hectares of Andalusia, is home to a large and diverse variety of plant and animal life, and 60 villages of cultural significance.

From glacial valleys to ever-changing forests to tiny plants, clinging to existence at high altitude, Sierra Nevada National Park is a botanist’s paradise.

The Spanish ibex continues to thrive there, along with other threatened species including varieties of martens and wildcats, eagles and finches, among many more.

I mention the Spanish ibex, because of its four sub-species, two are extinct – the most recent extinction occurring just 25 years ago.

Preventing extinctions — revitalising habitats — protecting biodiversity — these principles are what this Diploma is all about.

Sierra Nevada becomes the fifth Spanish national park to join the club of 67 holders of the European Diploma for Protected Areas.

It remains a very prestigious group.

And this is, as I mentioned, the first award of the Diploma for five years.

But we do not want this Diploma to belong to an elite group, but to be a recognition of many, many protected areas.

Because every park that receives this award must keep working to maintain the highest standards, monitored by experts.

In this way, all of Europe benefits.

I encourage each of the representatives of member states here today, all of you, to nominate outstanding protected areas in your own countries.

Our planet, our people, our natural world - need diverse landscapes, and to preserve its beauty and biodiversity.

Your work is the only way to make this future possible.

I congratulate all who apply their skill, passion and dedication to preserving and protecting Sierra Nevada.

You made the award of this Diploma possible.