Press Releases

Let me welcome you to the Ninth “Environment for Europe” Ministerial Conference and the Third Joint High-Level Meeting of Education and Environment Ministers on Education for Sustainable Development.

It is imperative to highlight the importance of this high-level meeting, as discussions on Education for Sustainable Development will evolve with the participation of the Ministers of Environment and the Ministers of Education, but more importantly with the active engagement of young people.

Admittedly, we are facing the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, that puts the current and the future generations in risk. It is our duty to take decisions that will safeguard the well-being of the future generations, but it is also our duty to educate young people, who are the future leaders, to respect the planetary boundaries and protect the environment. This is the only way for humanity to continue develop and thrive on the planet.

Education is key for achieving sustainable development. During this economic, environmental, climatic and social crisis era, in which the education systems have been so severely hit, we need to get back on track towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

This is our opportunity to discuss, interact and work with the youth for creating a more prosperous, equitable, healthy and sustainable planet. It is the moment for all of us to commit that we will upscale our efforts for the implementation of the UNECE Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development.

I would like to remind you that the plenary session will include introductory remarks of the UNECE Executive Secretary Ms Olga Algayerova, the Deputy Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme, Ms Sonja Leighton-Kone and the Assistant Director-General for Education of the United Nations, Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, Ms Stefania Giannini. Afterwards, a presentation will follow on the key findings of the report on the progress of the implementation of the UNECE Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development, and a brief outline of the next framework for the implementation of the UNECE Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development from 2021-2030 by Dr. Aravella Zachariou, Chair of the UNECE Steering Committee on Education for Sustainable Development.

Please note that the plenary discussion will be followed by brief interventions and statements by Ministers, focusing on the implementation of the UNECE Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development at the national level during the new framework from 2021-2030.

(NG)