BSPC at PABSEC 42^nd General Assembly in Tbilisi

“Climate change has escalated into one of the most pressing challenges of our times. Urgent and serious action is necessary to avoid future environmental and social disasters. We need stronger efforts to curb climate change, to adapt to its consequences, and to fortify the preparedness to prevent and manage emergencies. International and transborder cooperation is indispensable“, said Christina Gestrin in her address to the 42^nd General Assembly of PABSEC, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, in Tbilisi, Georgia on 18 December. “Green growth and energy efficiency are key tools to contain climate change. Climate smart solutions are good for the environment and for our societies. They also offer opportunities to promote innovation, business development, employment and competitiveness in the growing market of green technologies”, she continued, and commended the so-called “Baltic2 Black” project, which for three years has maintained close contacts between expert networks in the Baltic and Black Sea regions in order to share knowledge and develop new monitoring and assessment methods. “Parliamentarians have a responsibility to keep the political spotlight on environmental and social challenges. International parliamentary cooperation is a powerful political driver of social development and an instrument to safeguard its democratic legitimacy”, Gestrin concluded. More information on PABSEC can be found at: www.pabsec.org