Chair Saŝa Dragin, Minister of Environmental Protection, Serbia, introduced delegates to the morning plenary focusing on the future of the Environment for Europe (EfE) process. In a keynote address, Francisco Nunes Correria, Minister of Environment, Portugal, on behalf of the EU, reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to the continuation of the EfE process in a manner that accounts for the new political, economic and social landscape in the region. Subsequent discussion focused on newly emerging challenges, the constant, continuous involvement of ministers, responsibility to citizens to achieve real results, more coordinated efforts on behalf on donors, and the power of partnerships and the private sector as a way forward.

Chair Dragin introduced the Ministerial Declaration and delegates adopted it without amendment. Highlights of the Ministerial Declaration include delegates expressing that they: were committed to strive to achieve and maintain a healthy environment for present and future generations; welcomed the efforts of Central European countries in achieving sustainable development goals; reaffirmed their commitment to significantly reduce the rate of loss of biological diversity by 2010; stressed the need to further improve indicator-based environmental assessments and reporting; welcomed efforts to meet the objectives of the United Nations Decade for Education for Sustainable Development; noted opportunities to diffuse tension amongst governments via environmental collaboration; recognized the need to improve the management of chemicals; emphasized the goal if international competitiveness; would actively seek partnerships with civil society; welcomed the offer of the Government of Kazakhstan to host the next Conference in 2011; and, expressed gratitude to the Government of Serbia for having hosted the Conference in 2007.