Joint Declaration on Combating Climate Change

Adopted at the 23rd Meeting of the

Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the

Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC)

(Thessaloniki, 26 November 2010)

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the BSEC Member States: the Republic of

Albania, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of

Bulgaria, Georgia, the Hellenic Republic, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, the

Russian Federation, the Republic of Serbia, the Republic of Turkey and Ukraine, met

in Thessaloniki, on 26 November 2010, and

Being aware that climate change, constituting a global problem resulting mostly from

human activities, is a common challenge faced by all countries and therefore it

requires global solutions as well as regional cooperation,

Recognizing that the Black Sea area is vulnerable to many negative impacts of

climate change and therefore our countries should work towards a binding

international agreement on climate change,

Recognizing also the importance of developing and implementing regional

approaches as appropriate for combating the negative impacts of climate change as

well as for reversing continuing trends of biodiversity loss and ecosystem

degradation,

Acknowledging that environmental technologies and practices aiming at protecting

the land and marine environment, biodiversity and natural resources can secure a

future of welfare for our region,

Being convinced of the importance of assuring the sustainable development of the

wider Black Sea area and maintaining a long-term development process to the benefit

of all,

Acknowledging the need in the Black Sea region for more effective action by sharing

best practices experience and tools in mitigating climate change and seek common

solutions to the benefit of all,

Being aware of the response to climate change as an opportunity for promoting green

economy, creating new prospects for enhanced regional cooperation and economic

development in the region,

Considering the importance of elaborating forward-looking approaches in the wider

Black Sea area towards green development, as part of a coordinated regional response

to climate change and a basis for sustainable development, that will enhance

economic activity, investment, entrepreneurship and employment, by also focusing on

a gradual turn towards new technologies, including cleaner energy and higher energy

efficiency projects,

Stressing that the responses to climate change should be coordinated with social and

economic development with a view to avoiding adverse impacts on the latter,

Taking note of the important contribution of the civil society in highlighting and

tackling the issues related to climate change and environment, as well as their

extensive expertise and know-how in this field,

Welcoming the “Black Sea turns Green” approach, proposed by the Hellenic

Chairmanship-in-Office of the BSEC, which aims to reaffirm the role of the BSEC as

a leader in regional cooperation,

Have agreed to:

1. Endorse the vision to transform the BSEC region into a model of clean energy by

adopting low pollutant practices through resource efficient and climate resilient

economies, in mitigating climate change.

2. Develop regional policy approaches on mitigating climate change with respect to

the capabilities of the countries concerned and at the same time ensuring energy

security and a sustainable development process providing for growth, employment

and welfare.

3. Strive to develop common approaches on climate change demonstrating leadership

and strong commitment to action in the international arena, aiming at contributing to

international and regional agreements through seeking the possibility of developing

common policy positions, as well as project- based initiatives.

4. Continue their work on the adoption of regional regulations and development

programmes, so as to set the framework for attracting public and private investment in

all sectors that can contribute to this vision.

5. Benefit from the existing network of civil society organizations dealing with

climate change and environmental issues in the Black Sea area.

6. Strengthen collaboration on addressing common challenges by elaborating shared

plans and initiatives concerning the implementation of models of environmental risks

assessment, especially early warning prediction models, with the aim of taking joint

measures and increasing safety precautions against disasters in the wider Black Sea

area.

7. Further increase public awareness on ecological issues for the long-term safety of

the Black Sea environment.

8. Commit themselves, within this framework, to contributing to the success of the

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change negotiations.