New IPS president vows to get the voice of the international peat business heard

JYVASKYLA, Finland: The International Peatland Society (IPS), a network of peat and peatland experts, has appointed a new president following election at its virtual Annual General Meeting.

Marko Pomerants,  owner of consultancy firm Bitter Orange Orange OÜ and Estonia’s former Minister for Environment between 2015 and 2017, will take over from Gerarld Schmilewski, who has served four years as IPS president.

Pomerants is delighted to take up his role as the new IPS president, saying, “I can’t allow myself to grow as slowly as peat mosses do. So I promise to do it much faster. I will start by setting up routines, of course the people of peat must have the right to summer holidays, but then I must establish the closer relationships with National Committees, Commissions and expert groups. I believe that IPS will require a stronger position on the international arena, with improved benefits for members and stronger organisational finances. I am confident that, together with the Executive Board and Secretariat, this will be possible.”

Pomerants went on to say that the IPS strategy period is coming to its end. A new strategy must be compiled and carried out. “Today, environmental issues are the most salient all over the world especially in the EU. It is important for us to be able to preserve a sober mindset and call on the various parties to engage in knowledge-based, not emotional discussions. I am personally characterised by conscientiousness, self-initiative and a responsible attitude to budgetary funds. I am a leader who is prepared to steer the organisation in times good or bad, often taking the initiative myself. Thank you to everyone who has supported my candidacy.”

In addition to the President, the Annual Assembly elected the following persons to the Executive Board:

First Vice President 2020-2024

Guus van Berckel, the Netherlands

Second Vice President 2020-2024

Jack Rieley, United Kingdom

Ordinary EB members

2020-2022 (shorter term, replaces Jack Rieley as ordinary member)

Erki Niitlaan, Estonia

2020-2024 (in alphabetical order):

Donal Clarke, Ireland

Ingrida Krigere, Latvia

Paul Short, Canada

Tuija Vähäkuopus, Finland

Current EB members Sabine Jordan (Sweden), Lulie Melling (Malaysia) and Frank Tamminga (Germany) continue in their positions until the Assembly 2022.

IPS welcomes all new EB members and congratulates those that were re-elected. The Society also says a big thanks to Gerald Schmilewski, Dr Samu Valpola and Zhengping Wang, who leave the Board as of today, and to all candidates who were nominated by their National Committees for EB positions.