Minister of Environment and Water Manol Genov participated in the meeting of the EU Environment Council in Luxembourg. During the meeting, the ministers adopted conclusions determining the main elements of the EU negotiating position for the 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The conference is scheduled for 10-21 November 2025 in Belem, Brazil.

“Our priority remains to ensure an ambitious, yet pragmatic and realistic approach in an intra-European context,” Minister Manol Genov emphasized in his speech. He underlined the need to ensure the necessary conditions for the successful implementation of the goals, including funding, technologies, and capacity building. “Of particular importance for our region are the elements related to taking into account the social dimension, just transition and protection of vulnerable groups, as well as transborder effects,” added Minister Genov.

During the meeting, the environment ministers of the EU Member States exchanged views on the European Ocean Pact - a strategy aimed to better protect the ocean, promoting the "blue" economy, and supporting the well-being of people living in coastal areas. Bulgaria expressed support for the European Commission's vision for sustainable management of the oceans and seas, set out in the Pact. In his speech, Minister Genov noted that for this vision to be effective, "it is necessary to set realistic achievable goals and apply a regionally sensitive approach". This approach must take into account the need to balance environmental goals and economic realities in the sustainable use of marine resources; the specificities of different sea basins; the limited applicability of European Union law to basins shared with third countries, and the role of regional sea conventions as a natural platform for cooperation.

The ministers also adopted conclusions on the European Strategy for the Sustainability of Water Resources. For Bulgaria, restoring the water cycle, ensuring clean and accessible water for all, and promoting a competitive water industry are key for the sustainable development of the European Union.

An information note from the Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg and Spain on the reflection of the environmental agenda in the Multiannual Financial Framework for the period 2028-2034 will also be presented during the meeting. The possible reduction of funds for the environment raises serious concerns, as this would make it difficult to implement key policies, including the recently adopted Nature Restoration Regulation. For Bulgaria, the funds needed for biodiversity alone would be almost equal to the current investments in the entire environment sector. In this context, our country insists on preserving and strengthening the LIFE program - the only program entirely dedicated to the environment, as an independent and visible instrument in support of sustainable development and the EU's environmental transition.