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The
fifth Ministerial Conference “Environment for Europe” concluded
on 23 May, in Kiev, Ukraine, with the adoption of the Ministerial Declaration,
which underlined the importance of the EfE process as a tool to promote
environmental protection and sustainable development in the region, thus
contributing to wider peace and security. Environment Ministers and Heads of
delegation from 51 countries in the UNECE region and the Representative of the
European Commission emphasized their common goals with respect to the
environment and highlighted their common dedication to cooperating in achieving
high standards of environmental protection.
During
the Conference, three Protocols to Conventions of the United Nations Economic
Commission for Europe were adopted and opened for signature.
·
Thirty-five countries and
the European Community signed the new Protocol on Strategic Environmental
Assessment to the UNECE Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a
Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention);
·
Twenty-two countries
signed the new Protocol on Civil Liability and Damage Caused by the
Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents on Transboundary Waters to the
UNECE Conventions on the Transboundary Effects of Industrial Accidents and on
the Protection and Use of Transboundary Waters and International Lakes; and
·
Thirty-six countries and
the European Community signed the new Protocol on Pollutant Release and Transfer
Registers to the UNECE Convention on Access to Information, Public Participation
in Decision-making and Access to Justice in Environmental Matters (Aarhus
Convention).
The Ministers and Heads of delegation also endorsed the Guidelines for
Strengthening Compliance with and Implementation of MEAs in the UNECE region.
The Kiev Conference adopted a groundbreaking Environment Strategy for Countries
of Eastern Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia and applauded the efforts of the
Central Asian States to develop the Central Asian Initiative on Environment,
Water and Security, “Invitation to Partnership.”
Ministers and Heads of Delegation reaffirmed their support to the Environmental
Performance Review Programme of UNECE and decided that the programme should
continue. They called upon the European Environment Agency to prepare a fourth
assessment report for the next ministerial conference, building on new
partnerships, especially with UNECE and UNEP, and they expressed their support
of the UNECE Working Group on Environmental Monitoring and its activities.
A number of other decisions were taken related to energy for sustainable
development, water for sustainable development, biodiversity and education.
Addressing the future of the EfE process, Ministers and Heads of delegation
decided that EfE Ministerial Conferences should be held on a regular and
predictable basis every four or five years, preferably in a host country. They
invited UNECE, through its Committee on Environmental Policy and in consultation
with other principal subsidiary bodies, as appropriate, and in cooperation with
other relevant organizations and institutions, to monitor the outcomes of the
Kiev Declaration in its work programme.
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