OSCE-supported conference focuses on trans-boundary conservation and sustainable development in Dniester River basin
CHISINAU, 20 September 2013 – An OSCE-supported international conference on the environmental state of the Dniestr/Nistru River started today in Chisinau.
The two-day conference is organized by the International Association of River Keepers "Eco-TIRAS" with the support of the OSCE Mission to Moldova.
The conference entitled "Trans-boundary Dniester River Basin Management within the Frames of a New Treaty” will cover the issues of water and health, flood prevention measures, water quality monitoring, and conservation of water biodiversity and ecosystems. Experts will also make recommendations on priority actions to be taken by the governments of Moldova and Ukraine for the successful implementation of the River Basin Treaty signed by these two countries in November 2012.
The event brings together more than 130 participants, including scientists, experts, and environmental NGO activists from Moldova, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, Romania and Estonia.
“Such initiatives help the people of the region, including Transdniestria, to not only build environmental awareness but also personal relations between them, and to foster a sense of unity as they work together to address environmental issues of common concern,” said Jan Plešinger, Deputy Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova, at the opening of the conference. “This creates a good basis for building confidence and trust.”
Ilya Trombitsky, the executive director of “Eco-TIRAS” Association, noted that the Treaty would serve to improve the lives of people from the Dniestr/Nistru river basin.
The conference was also supported by the Finnish Embassy in Bucharest, the Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe, the Estonian Centre for Trans-boundary Cooperation from Tartu and the National Endowment for Democracy foundation from the U.S.
OSCE supports several projects related to the conservation and protection of the Dniestr/Nistru River, such as the annual Dniestr/Nistru Youth Summer School and expeditions for young people from both banks.