Meeting of German-speaking environment ministers

Vaduz (ots) -

On June 20 and 21, 2024, the meeting of German-speaking environment ministers took place in Weimar at the invitation of Germany. Federal Minister Steffi Lemke received Alternate Prime Minister and Environment Minister Sabine Monauni from Liechtenstein as well as Federal Councillor Albert Rösti from Switzerland, Minister Serge Wilmes from Luxembourg and Deputy Prime Minister Irmi Salzer from Austria. The talks focused on international cooperation, adapting to the consequences of the climate crisis and sustainable water management.

International cooperation

The environment ministers exchanged views on the upcoming UN conferences on Biodiversity (COP16) and Climate (COP29) in the fall of 2024. According to Environment Minister Monauni, the resolutions of the last biodiversity conference will be implemented as part of a new biodiversity action plan in Liechtenstein. Liechtenstein will also register the climate target adopted by Parliament with the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat. Specifically, harmful greenhouse gases are to be reduced by 55% (instead of 40%) by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

Adapting to the consequences of the climate crisis

Adapting to the consequences of the climate crisis was also discussed in detail. The environment ministers emphasized the importance of both technical and nature-based measures. In this context, cross-border cooperation in the area of renaturation of water bodies, for example on the Rhine, the promotion of biodiversity and flood protection was highlighted in a particularly positive light.


Sustainable water management

The final topic was the importance of sustainable water management. In a keynote speech by Johannes Cullmann, Head of the International Networking Unit at the Federal Institute of Hydrology, the urgency of this topic was highlighted in view of the advancing climate change and the associated changes in the global water balance. The environment ministers agreed that the topic of water will have a significant impact on environmental policy in the coming years and decades. Environment Minister Monauni announced that a public event on this topic is planned in Liechtenstein next year as part of the Future Alps Forum.

"Once again, the meeting of German-speaking environment ministers proved to be an ideal opportunity to exchange experiences and find answers to current challenges together. At the same time, we were able to deepen relations within the German-speaking countries in an open and friendly atmosphere," summarized Environment Minister Sabine Monauni.

The next meeting of environment ministers will take place in Liechtenstein in 2025.