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International Black Sea Action Day
The Georgian, Russian and Turkish Commissioners, as well as other members of the Turkish Ministry of Environment and Forestry, representatives from several international organizations, governmental bodies, universities and NGOs will participate in the joint workshop organized at the Omtel Hotel in Samsun.
Black Sea Medals
Within the framework of the celebrations, six individuals from Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine will be awarded the “Black Sea Medals” for their significant contribution to protecting the Black Sea ecosystem. Presented by the Black Sea Commission since 2006, the Award aims to support and encourage efforts to rehabilitate the ecosystem of the Black Sea and make it go back to its healthy state as in the 1960s, and especially emphasize the importance of individual efforts. The recipients of this year’s Awards are Ms. Stela Todorova Barova of Bulgaria for her contribution to the revising of the Protocol on Land Based Sources of Pollution, Mr. Nodar Koncelidze of Georgia for his successful performance at the Directorate for Environment and Natural Resources in Georgia, Prof. Marian-Traian Gomoiu of Romania for his outstanding work in the field of marine sciences for over 50 years, Ms. Natalia Tretiakova of the Russian Federation for her active participation in the work of the Black Sea Commission since 2002, Prof. Halil Ibrahim Sur of Turkey for his scientific work of many years committed to the Black Sea and Prof. Yuvenaly Petrovich Zaitsev of Ukraine who has dedicated his life of 80 years to the Black Sea.
Black Sea Action Day
The Black Sea countries, Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, the Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine, signed the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution (Bucharest Convention) on 21 April 1992 and Black Sea Strategic Action Plan on 31 October 1996. Although this Action Plan was revised and signed by the Ministers of these six countries on 17 April 2009 in Sofia, October 31 has been celebrated as the “International Black Sea Action Day” by the Black Sea countries every year since 1996. International Black Sea Action Day is a regional activity designed to raise public awareness of the need for regional cooperation necessary for the protection of the Black Sea. It is celebrated in the six riparian countries simultaneously.
The Black Sea Commission is an intergovernmental organization responsible for implementing the Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution, which sets the legal framework required for regional cooperation and efforts necessary to reduce pollution and increase protection of the marine environment. The parties to this Convention, Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, the Russian Federation, Turkey and Ukraine, are all represented in the Commission. The Permanent Secretariat of the Black Sea Commission is located within the Dolmabahce Palace complex in Istanbul, Turkey.
Prof. Ahmet Kideys, Executive Director of the Permanent Secretariat of the Black Sea Commission, stated “International Black Sea Action Day is a significant day in the way that it attracts attention to the importance of cooperation for the protection of the Black Sea. Besides being one of the most important and interesting ecosystems of the world, the Black Sea is also a great economic resource for millions of people living around it in six different countries. It is extremely important that all these countries seek joint solutions to the existing and potential problems in order to protect this joint heritage. The countries represented in the Black Sea Commission have increased their efforts in this regard.”
Prof. Hasan Zuhuri Sarikaya, Undersecretary of Environment and Forestry and Turkey’s Commissioner to the Black Sea Commission, stated that Turkey has always played an active role in developing joint policies and actions towards the protection of the Black Sea, and has been hosting the Permanent Secretariat of the Commission. Prof. Sarikaya said that “this workshop jointly organized by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Turkey and the Black Sea Commission is aimed at increasing cooperation among the stakeholders in the region.”
For detailed information:
Nilufer Akpinar
Public Relations
Permanent Secretariat, Commission on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution
E-mail: nilufer_akpinar@yahoo.com
Tel: + 90 212 327 35 80
Mobile: + 90 505 783 14 52
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