Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin

 

-         Zagreb, 2 December 2014 -  

The Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin - a symbol of sustainable development"

Venue: Croatian Water Management premises, Grada Vukovara Street No. 220

When (local time): 9:00

Press release: 14:00

The Fifth Meeting of the Parties to the Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Republic of Croatia, Republic of Slovenia and Republic of Serbia) is of great importance for cross-border cooperation in the field of water, directing specific activities of the states and the pursuit of common solutions for sustainable development in the Sava River Basin.

The Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin was signed in 2002 (entered into force in 2004) and its strategic goal is cross-border cooperation of its Parties in order to ensure sustainable development of the region in the Sava River Basin, in order to:
·         establish an international regime of navigation on the Sava River and its navigable tributaries,
·         establish sustainable water management and
·         take measures to prevent or limit hazards, and reduce and eliminate harmful effects of floods, ice, droughts and incidents involving the release of hazardous substances into the water.

The meeting is being organized at a high ministerial level, with the participation of representatives of the international community. The meeting will discuss the key issues relevant to the implementation of the Framework Agreement, such as the Sava River Basin Management planning, flood management in the basin and restoration of navigation on the waterway of the river Sava, as well as the importance of ratification of signed and signing new Protocols to go with the Framework Agreement, which are to strengthen regional cooperation.

A Declaration with the guidelines for further implementation of the Framework Agreement will be adopted at the meeting, and the results of the International Sava River Basin Commission will be presented, as well as the joint results of the Sava countries achieved in the implementation of the Framework Agreement.

A representative of the Youth Parliament will also, in the framework of the meeting, present the results of the Youth Parliament, a traditional event which is aimed at strengthening environmental awareness among young people, recognizing the economic potential of the Sava River, as well as the importance of cross-border cooperation in the field of water.

More information about this meeting and all supporting documents are available on the website of the Sava Commission – http://www.savacommission.org/event_detail/1/19/323

The host of the meeting is the Croatian Government, and the organizer the International Sava River Basin Commission, an institution that coordinates the efforts of all countries in relation to the preservation and development of the Sava River.