The EU-funded Clima East programme, which provides support to the Eastern Partnership countries and to Russia to be better prepared to deal with climate change impacts, organised a major conference in Chișinău today.

The conference brought together high-level delegates from Europe and partner countries to share their experiences from across the region, specifically related to ecosystem management initiatives in the pasture, peatland and forestry sectors. Experts discussed how to tackle the damaging effects of climate change including adaptation measures which can also provide benefits to communities, such as creating jobs.

Speaking at the opening of the conference, Ms. Maria Nagornii, Head of Policy Analysis at the Ministry’s Monitoring and Evaluation Department, said: “The subjects and topics that will be debated in this conference are very important for the entire region. The Republic of Moldova has signed the Kyoto Protocol and these commitments need to be implemented. Our government needs to focus on efforts related to the mitigation and adaptation to climate change.”

Mr Aneil Singh, Head of Operations Section at the Delegation of the European Union to Moldova added: “The Clima East project brings together people and knowledge and this conference is an opportunity to share information and experience. I hope that we can we can work together towards delivering our common commitment to produce binding targets at the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in Paris.”

Ms Dafina Gercheva, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative to Moldova, commented “In Moldova, this flagship intervention in the area of ecosystem-based adaptation shall benefit 50,000 people living in the National Park Orhei, through enhanced productivity of local pastures and forestry resources, essential for food and energy security, 622 hectares of stabilized lands prone to erosion and landslides, and improved adaptation of natural ecosystems to climate change and disasters.”

This pilot project in the National Park Orhei will be visited by conference participants tomorrow afternoon after the conference closes. Places are still available for journalists to join the visit to the pilot project to see first hand how the pilot helps capture carbon, develop biodiversity and create economic opportunities. Project staff and experts will be available to answer questions about the EU-supported activities.

Clima East is a € 19.2 million EU-funded package consisting of two components: the first consists of a number of pilot projects that support the development of ecosystems-based approaches to climate change which is implemented by UNDP; the second is a policy component that seeks to foster improved climate change policies, strategies and market mechanisms in the partner countries by supporting regional cooperation and improving information access to EU climate change policies, laws and expertise and is implemented by DAI.