On October 31 we mark the International Black Sea Day. The date coincides with the twenty-first anniversary of the Black Sea Strategic Plan, which is a symbol of the hope for a better future for 16 million people from six countries inhabiting its coast. It sets out long-term objectives for the quality of the Black Sea ecosystem, concrete measures to reduce pollution, improve living resource management, promote human development in a way that does not compromise the environment and take steps to finance environmental projects.
On this occasion, Burgas hosted a prestigious high-level forum, bringing together the executive and local authorities and the general public. It was held at the Flora escorial center and was organized by the Ministry of Environment and Waters and the Municipality of Burgas.
Representatives of the Black Sea Commission and the Black Sea Basin – Romania, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine, Turkey, ambassadors, as well as mayors of Black Sea municipalities – participated in the forum. Dimitar Nikolov – Mayor of Burgas Municipality, Lilyana Pavlova – Minister for the Bulgarian Presidency of the EU Council 2018, Ivelina Vassileva – Chairman of the Parliamentary Commission on Environment and Water and Atanaska Nikolova – Deputy Minister of Environment and Water took part in the high level meeting.
Via Pontica Foundation participated with a presentation of its innovative project, which brings together a sustainable business with environmental protection activities.
At the forum – the personification of the commitment of the Government and the Municipality of Burgas for serious actions and real results in the efforts to restore and preserve the Black Sea, were handed the annual awards of the International Secretariat to the Black Sea Commission of persons from different countries for their contribution to the conservation of Black Sea.