The Italian government approved a new financial law (Legge Finanziaria) for 2010, according to which towns will have to abolish their local Ombudsman institutions.

Mr. Rafael Ribó, Regional Vice-President of the European chapter of the I.O.I., attended the annual coordination meeting of the Italian Ombudsman held in Rome on 25 January 2010. Mr. Ribó took the opportunity to meet with the President of the Italian Republic, Mr. Giorgio Napolitano.

Mr. Nikiforos Diamandouros was re-elected European Ombudsman by the members of the European Parliament on 20 January 2010 by 340 votes out of 648.

Mr. Cheong U will leave the Commission Against Corruption (CCAC) as his term ended on 19 December 2009.

Papua New Guinea Ombudsman Chronox Manek was shot and seriously wounded in an assassination attempt outside his Port Moresby home on 11 December 2009.

On 17 November 2009 the Senate of the United States of Mexico has distinguished Dr. Raúl Plascencia Villanueva to chair the Mexican National Human Rights Commission, for a five year term.

A very successful inaugural meeting of the I.O.I. Board of Directors was held in Vienna, Austria. From November 18 through November 20 the members of the Board met in the premises especially prepared for the I.O.I. by the Austrian Ombudsman Board.

Gabriele Strele was elected by the Parliament of the Land Vorarlberg as new Ombudswoman and took up office on 30 October 2009 following Dr. Felix Dünser who returned after his non-renewable six year term to the judiciary.