ASTANA, Kazakhstan -

On 21-23 September, UNRCCA Deputy Head, Fedor Klimchuk, took part in the Seventh "Environment for Europe" Ministerial conference held in Astana, Kazakhstan. The event provided an opportunity to discuss key environmental challenges and review best practices in addressing them. In the framework of the conference UNRCCA acted as a panel member at the side event, organized by ENVSEC (Environment and Security Initiative), focusing on the management of water resources and security risks in the region. Participants were introduced with major activities of the Centre in this field.

Two main themes were discussed at the Seventh Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe:

- Sustainable management of water and water-related ecosystems;
- Greening the economy: promotion of environment in economic development.

The Seventh Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe" in 2011 in Astana was envisaged as a key step in implementation and recognition of Astana Initiative as an interactive platform and tool of integration in Asia and Europe on green growth.