The Minister of Environment and Water Rositsa Karamfilova participated in a high-level interactive dialogue on the topic “Water for Climate, Sustainability, and Environment”. During the UN High-Level Conference "Water for Sustainable Development" at the UN headquarters in New York, Minister Rositsa Karamfilova participated in a thematic dialogue dedicated to the challenges in the water sector within the context of climate change.

The interactive dialogue was also attended by H.E. Mr. Hani Sewilam, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation of the Arab Republic of Egypt, H.E. Mr. Senzo Mchunu, Minister of Water and Sanitation of South Africa, H.E. Ms Mariam Almheiri, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, H.E. Mr. Christophe Bechu, Minister of Environment and Territorial Cohesion of France.

Discussions were focused on the role of water as a factor in achieving internationally agreed goals, including those contained in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the 2015 Paris Agreement, and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030.

In her speech, Minister Karamfilova noted that the adoption of integrated approaches to water management planning in the medium and long term is of key importance for healthy ecosystems and sustainable societies. To achieve real results, it is vital to take into consideration the climate change mitigation and adaptation considerations at the global scale, as well as the linkages among terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems and bring together stakeholders.

Emphasis was placed on best practices from Bulgaria for providing effective mechanisms for coordination and consultation in the field of water management, both at the national level and in respect to particular basins, including on issues related to climate and water management.

“Climate change is among the priorities of the Bulgarian policy in the field of environmental protection,” said Minister Karamfilova and added that the country actively participates in international efforts to combat climate change.

Information was also presented on the actions taken by Bulgaria to prepare our country for hosting the 29th Meeting of the Parties to the UN Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in 2024.

The High-level Interactive Dialogue on Water for Climate, Sustainability and Environment can be followed at: https://sdgs.un.org/conferences/water2023/events/interactive-dialogue-3