Photo: Keystone

After eight years in office, the term of the President of the GICHD, Dr. Cornelio Sommaruga, came to an end on 31 December 2008.  Mr. Sommaruga was orignally elected President in May 2000, and he was subsequently re-elected in December 2003.  At their last meeting, the members of the Council of Foundation took leave of Dr. Sommaruga by expressing their thanks and high esteem for his efforts and dedication in the field of mine action. In acknowledgement of his contribution to the Centre, he was appointed as "Honorary President" of the GICHD.

Dr. Barbara Haering was elected as the new President of the Council of Foundation, and her term started on 1 January 2009. Barbara Haering was member of the National Parliament of Switzerland from 1990 until 2007, where security policy and international cooperation were among her main fields of interest and activity. As Vice-President of  the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly she took over responsibility for election observation missions. Barbara Haering holds joint Swiss and Canadian nationalities.