Message to the Fifth Ministerial Conference "Environment for Europe"

The "Environment for Europe" process has become an important platform for dialogue and cooperation not only among Governments but also with international organizations, non-governmental organizations and the private sector. Your efforts to extend the environmental legal framework, to ensure that existing international environmental law is applied, and to keep the environment high on the international agenda demonstrate your conviction that together, we can make a difference and build a better and greener world for our future generations.

The previous four conferences in this process have had a significant impact on the region covered by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe. Moreover, your achievements, whether in improving environmental rights, strengthening public participation, improving energy efficiency or banning leaded petrol, are closely watched around the world and have inspired others to follow suit. You are providing a good example of cross-border environmental cooperation for years to come in Europe and beyond.

This fifth conference is also a concrete follow-up to last year's World Summit on Sustainable Development. I look forward to the steps the ECE will take to support the implementation of the decisions taken in Johannesburg on the environmental dimension of sustainable development.

I would like to express my appreciation to Prime Minister Victor Yanukovich and the Government of Ukraine for their role in this conference and for focusing attention on a subject that affects each of us every day of our lives. I wish you every success in your deliberations.