Karl Erjavec
Minister for the Environment and Spatial Planning of the Republic of Slovenia
Welcome from the Slovenian Presidency to the Alpine Convention,
The 10th session of the Alpine Conference in Evian (France) marked the beginning of the two-year period of the Slovenian presidency of the Alpine Convention.
I am very happy that at this Conference an action plan on climate (DE, FR, IT, SL) was adopted, with measures on prevention and adaptation to climate change in the Alps. It is a first step towards the long-term battle that we have to fight to rescue our planet.
The Second Report on the State of the Alps focused on “Waters” was also adopted. It has clearly been demonstrated in that a broad range of water management issues have to be tackled (need for integrated risk management against natural hazards and adapt to the consequences of climate change, update river basin management plans etc.). It was then decided to focus on Sustainable rural development and innovations for the third report on the State of the Alps, which will be ready in 2011.
Slovenia already chaired the Convention from 1994 to 1998. Our main priority for this third Slovenian Presidency will be the implementation of the Climate Action Plan, Slovenia counts on a strong commitment of all the signatories and other participants in the implementation of the measures from this action plan. Furthermore, focus will be put on implementation of the Convention and its protocols at regional and local level Specific seminars focused on regional cooperation and the exchange of good practices in implementing the Alpine Convention will be organized.
I invite you all to jointly contribute to the realization of our common objectives in the Alpine region!
