Promoting a European approach to nature conservation in the Republic of Moldova and the support provided by the Czech Republic for a more efficient management of the country's natural protected areas are the results of the projects implemented with the support of UNDP and the Czech Development Agency, which were discussed at a news conference hosted by IPN.
The Moldovan-Czech partnership focuses on aspects of environmental protection in the Republic of Moldova, with a particular focus on the transfer of expertise and experience from the Czech Republic. Through this partnership, workshops were organized and essential equipment was provided for monitoring biodiversity, combating illegal activities and managing the impact of natural events.
The Ambassador of the Czech Republic to the Republic of Moldova Jaromír Plíšek stressed that this investment refers not only to technology, but also to the future of the natural resources of the Republic of Moldova. The Moldovan-Czech partnership in the field of environment, carried out through the Ecological Society "Biotica" and the Czech association "Arnika", is meant to improve the management and conservation of protected areas in Moldova.
"A highlight of this project was the 10-day fact-finding trip to the Czech Republic, where Moldovan fellows met with experts and officials, exchanging ideas on the sustainable management of forests, rivers and natural resources. Such an exchange of knowledge underlines the importance of cooperation, transfer of expertise across the border and strengthening of our commitment to the Natura 2000 network, an essential step for Moldova on its way to EU integration," said the Czech diplomat.
Maria Gurskaya, a member of the association of volunteer environmental inspectors "Rangers" of Moldova and secretary of the executive committee of the European Ranger Federation, said that thanks to this partnership, the association of volunteer inspectors became a full-fledged member of the European and international ranger association. "In October this year, I represented Moldova for the first time at the World Ranger Congress in France, on October 7-11, where the cooperation agreement between the association of volunteer environmental inspectors "Rangers" of Moldova and Romania for the exchange of experience and joint learning was signed. Designing training courses for the study of volunteer rangers and inspectors is one of the important parts of this cooperation so that the environmental inspectors in Moldova are more qualified," said Maria Gurskaya.
Financial Officer of the European Ranger Federation Michael Großmann said that an important goal of the European Ranger Federation is to help create national ranger associations in different countries of Europe as they do not exist in all countries. They took measures for the representatives of Moldova and the representatives of Romania to participate in the World Ranger Congress in France, where an agreement was signed between these national associations.
UNDP Resident Representative to the Republic of Moldova Daniela Gasparikova said that these partnerships lead not only to the fulfillment of the global objectives of the Republic of Moldova, but also to the achievement of local ones. A concrete example is the effort to establish ecological networks, in particular the Emerald network, which will facilitate the transition of the Republic of Moldova to the Natura 2000 ecological network, when the country becomes part of the European Union. In addition to the fact that the projects draw attention to the three natural protected areas – Orhei National Park, Lower Nistru National Park and Codrii Reserve – the main focus is on adapting nature to climate change and achieving adaptation goals, as well as on protecting biodiversity.
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