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Under the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, the Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Levan Davitashvili opened a high level conference of the Council of Europe in Strasbourg
The Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, Levan Davitashvili opened the High Level Conference on Environment and Human Rights together with the Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Marija Pejčinović Burić and the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Rik Daems.
“Climate change, environmental pollution and environmental degradation have negative effects on human rights as well; Consequently, there is an urgent need of building a large-scale co-operation among the Council of Europe member states. Moreover, introduction of international standards in national legislation is vital in terms of implementation of an effective human rights policy and introduction of environmental protection mechanisms. We, as a European state member country share European values such as human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, the rule of law and respect for human rights. These values are closely linked to environmental protection at the international and national level. We will continue cooperation with our international partners to uphold the highest standards with respect of human rights and environmental protection, which is targeted at the sustainable development of our country. Despite the progress made in the environmental field, we understand, that the environment and climate change remains a challenge for Georgia, as well as for all Council of Europe member states. Closer cooperation between member countries is important to overcome these challenges ” - Levan Davitashvili said in his speech.
The participants set focus on the importance of the relation between human rights and the environment, as well as the development of a strategy, that will further help member states to fulfill their environmental obligations.
At the end of the conference, under the Presidency of Georgia, a joint declaration was adopted for the implementation of Council Common Position , which includes issues on the protection of the environment and protection of human rights.
The representatives and Ministers of the Council of Europe's 47 countries participated in the High Level Conference with the aim to examine the potential of the Council of Europe’s work in the human rights field for tackling the environmental emergency and identifying ways of helping European governments to take up the challenge.
It should be mentioned, that environmental protection and human rights are one of the top priorities of Georgia's Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and as a groundbreaking idea has received high praise from the leadership of the Council of Europe and the member states.