The meeting has been moderated by H.E. Mr. Yury Ambrazevich, Chair of the Commission, with opening remarks of Ms. Olga Algayerova, Executive Secretary of UNECE and Ms. Tatiana Valovaya, Director-General, UNOG. The High-level dialogue has been opened with keynote addresses of Mr. Frans Timmermans, Executive Vice-President, European Commission, Ms. Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, and Mr. Børge Brende, President, World Economic Forum. The Czech Republic has been represented at the high-level segment by Mr. Vladislav Smrž, Deputy Minister of the Environment, whose intervention addressed the best practices of the Czech Republic in the areas of circular economy and sustainable use of natural resources. Deputy Minister Smrž in his speech mentioned that the Czech Republic is proud of its traditional engagement in UNECE environmental issues, namely the Environment for Europe process which started at Dobříš Castle in former Czechoslovakia in 1991 – the thirtieth anniversary of this process is commemorated this year. The Ministry of Environment therefore closely follows developments in the Committee on Environmental Policy as well as in the Regional Forum on Sustainable Development.

The Minsitry is involved in the OECD project called “Preparation of New National Circular Economy Strategic Network for the Czech Republic 2040”. The strategic framework will address waste management, water reuse and recycling, design of the products, bioeconomy and prevention of the food waste. The Czech Republic also supports the measures to encourage circular economy that are being taken at the EU level, such as the EU’s new Circular Economy Action Plan for a cleaner and more competitive Europe. The Ministry also supports positive initiatives at the national level, such as the one that started 3 years ago called “Enough of the plastics” aiming at reducing use of single-use plastic goods. So far 23 cities and municipalities participated in the project and reduced usage of single use products or replaced them with reusable ones. The aim is to extend the project to enterprises, public administration and individuals.

Discussions at the 69th session of the UNECE focused on practical solutions to challenges in shifting to circular approaches and the sustainable use of natural resources. The delegates to the 69th session of the UNECE have adopted a high-level statement recognising that ensuring economic prosperity while addressing environmental pressures remains a challenge for the UNECE region. The unprecedented crisis resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic increases the challenges to sustainable development by reversing some of the progress made. On the other hand, the transition to a more sustainable economy and the improved management of natural resources holds many opportunities for building back better and can be a source of economic dynamism and increased competitiveness.

The work of ECE in relevant sub-programmes, sectoral committees and other subsidiary bodies can make an important contribution to foster circular and more resource efficient economies and improve the management of natural resources in the region and beyond. Such work could contribute to: advancing sustainable transport, building sustainable energy systems and advancing sustainable forest management as well as resource-efficient use of wood; fostering environmental cooperation; facilitating the alignment of trade and urban development with sustainable practices, including building resilience to possible future crises, and providing the statistical foundation for the better understanding of ongoing dynamics and the impacts of policy actions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has shown that international cooperation is necessary to address the multiple challenges that this crisis has raised, including those linked to public health, climate change, food security, preserving transport connectivity and ensuring a sustainable recovery.

Mr. Vladislav Smrž, Deputy Minister of the Environment