Two additional countries – Bulgaria and Romania – as well as some of their key regional and local stakeholders endorsed today the Charter of the EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030’, committing to accelerate the restoration of the Danube River and Black Sea region.
High-level representatives from both countries, including the Bulgarian Minister of Environment and Water, Petar Dimitrov, officially endorsed the Charter at the ‘From the Danube Source to Black Sea – Healthy Waters and Healthy Life’ event in Burgas, Bulgaria. Joined by other key regional stakeholders including the Burgas District and local schools, they pledged national actions to restore the Danube and Black Sea.
In a message to the event, Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, said:
“The Danube and the Black Sea are vital for the livelihood of millions, but they face threats from pollution and climate change. The EU Mission Ocean and Waters is about finding innovative solutions to restore these ecosystems. I am proud to see additional national and local authorities, the private sector and communities engaging with the mission and aligning efforts for the benefit of the region.”
The event highlighted the EU Mission’s efforts to empower communities in the Danube River and Black Sea region to become climate-neutral, sustainable, and resilient by leveraging research and innovation projects. The conference also showcased the implementation of the Mission and ongoing international efforts to conserve, protect, and restore marine and freshwater biodiversity. Additionally, it focused on enhancing climate resilience and mitigating the impacts of extreme weather events and pollution on coastal communities, in line with the European Green Deal.
The event was jointly organised by the European Commission, Burgas Free University, Burgas Municipality and the Bulgarian Ministry of Environment and Water. It included presentations of tried and tested solutions developed by Mission Ocean projects and bottom-up solutions proposed by stakeholders under the Mission Charter for the Danube and Black Sea.
Background
Established under the Horizon Europe programme for the years 2021-2027, EU Missions are a new way to bring solutions to some of society’s greatest challenges. They have ambitious goals and will deliver tangible results by 2030.
Launched in September 2021, the EU Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters’ aims to protect and restore the health of our ocean and waters by 2030 through research and innovation, citizen engagement and investments in the sustainable blue economy. The Mission addresses the ocean and waters as one interconnected system and plays a key role in achieving climate neutrality and restoring nature.
The Mission supports regional engagement and cooperation through area-based ‘Lighthouses’ in major sea and river basins: Atlantic-Arctic, Mediterranean Sea, Baltic-North Sea, and Danube-Black Sea. Mission lighthouses are sites to pilot, demonstrate, develop and deploy the Mission activities across EU seas and river basins.
More information
Restore our Ocean and Waters
Press contact:
EC Spokesperson for Research, Science and Innovation
