OSCE Mission to Moldova brings together experts from both banks to facilitate environmental co-operation

An international conference held in Bender on 11 March 2016 with the support of the OSCE Mission to Moldova brought together more than 130 scientists, researchers, civil society activists and representatives of local authorities to discuss environmental challenges in the Dniester/Nistru River basin.

The event aimed to strengthen co-operation between environmental experts on both banks and was also attended by participants from Hungary, Poland, Romania and Russia.

The conference looked at possible joint measures that the authorities on both banks could undertake to tackle environmental issues such as water pollution, flood risk prevention and conserving the river basin’s biodiversity and ecosystem. Based on their discussions, the experts drew up recommendations on how best to strengthen scientific co-operation and meet the environmental challenges affecting the lives of people on both sides of the Dniester/Nistru River.

“This conference has provided a unique opportunity for dedicated scientists and researchers from both banks to examine common environmental concerns while sharing experiences with international experts,” said Ilya Trombitsky, executive director of the Eco-Tiras NGO. “By boosting co-operation between environmental experts on both banks, we are better equipped to face ecological threats to the Dniester/Nistru River basin.”

The conference was organized by the International Association of River Keepers Eco-Tiras with the support of the OSCE Mission to Moldova and is part of a project to build confidence between people on both banks through environmental co-operation.