Posted on April, 18 2001

The Summit on Environment and Sustainable Development in the Carpathian and Danube Region, the most important regional forum hosted by Romania this year, will be held under the chairmanship of His Excellency Ion Iliescu, President of Romania, and His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, WWF's President Emeritus, in Bucharest, April 29-30, 2001.

The Summit will be preceded by a Conference of Environment Ministers. Concomitantly a Forum of business people and NGOs will be held, with participants from 16 countries.

"The Conference aims at launching multilateral co-operation in the twin areas of environment and sustainable development on a regional basis and to match programs with funding available for environment-friendly projects," said Romanian Minister of Environment Aurel Constantin Ilie.

Co-operation in a regional format on environment and sustainable development can also build up momentum for tackling the hard issues of security and stability in the region.

The considerable natural wealth can provide the basis to build the future prosperity of the people living in the Carpathian and the Danube regions.

"These regions have a unique and special value for Europe as a whole; two of the most important 'Global 200' areas identified by WWF are located here: Danube Delta - Europe's second largest wetlands, and Carpathians - the largest area of virgin forest in Europe, home to sustainable populations of lynx, bears and wolves," said WWF representative Philip Weller.

The Bucharest Summit is a regional input in preparation for Johannesburg 2002 Earth Summit.

For further information
Claire Thilo: claire.thilo@wwf.at