The Deputy Prime Minister for Climate Policy and Minister of Environment and Water Borislav Sandov met with the Ambassador of France to Bulgaria Her Excellency Ms Florence Robin.

The meeting was held on the occasion of the invitation by France for Bulgaria to join the Coalition for Strong Ambition for Nature and People, which aims at actions to protect 30% of the earth’s and sea’s land areas by 2030. The initiative will be proposed for inclusion in the future global strategic framework for biodiversity.

H.E. Ms Florence Robin informed the Minister that on 11 February the French Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with support by the United Nations, will hold a summit under the motto “One Ocean”. During the meeting, the goal of the Coalition for Strong Ambition for Nature and People and a proposal for a “New Plastics Economy Global Commitment” will be presented. The new global commitment aims to show that countries are active in addressing plastic pollution and do not rely solely on the draft resolution to be considered during the second part of the Fifth Assembly of the United Nations Environment Program.

Minister Sandov expressed his conviction that joint actions are needed to protect the world’s oceans, both globally and regionally. He said that our country is actively working to achieve this goal in the Black Sea region and we will propose to declare cross-border protected areas, including maritime. Increasing the protection of marine ecosystems and the conservation of biodiversity is a priority on the government’s environmental agenda.

At the end of the meeting, Minister Sandov wished the Ambassador success for the French Presidency of the Council of the EU and expressed his confidence that relations between the two countries will continue to develop in a spirit of friendship and constructiveness.