“Therefore, effective multilateralism and environmental diplomacy are an important part of our foreign policy strategy,” said Slovenian Foreign Minister Miro Cerar in his introductory address at Slovenian Development Days, which was held this week.

“With new political and legislative orientations and under the condition that no international development project or programme involving Slovenia can promote increased consumption of fossil fuels, Slovenia is making a concrete contribution to upholding the commitments of the Paris climate agreement in third countries”, said Cerar.

Cerar noted that environmental diplomacy and effective multilateralism are strategic advantages of Slovenia’s foreign policy, as we are aware that they are crucial to dealing with global challenges.

“As a green country with a wealth of natural resources and biodiversity, Slovenia is aware of the importance of the fight against climate change. Climate effects are also a wake-up call for all of us to understand the importance of sustainable development and maintaining a high quality of life for our children,” added the foreign minister, who stated that protecting the environment and the fight against climate change are priorities in all international development projects that involve Slovenia’s cooperation.

The minister referred to Slovenia’s international activities in this area, such as the revival of the Green Group of six small countries that promote green policies, sustainable management of water as a natural resource at the UN and the proclamation of World Bee Day. Slovenia will place a great deal of emphasis on the circular economy during Slovenia’s Presidency of the EU Council, he said.

The Ministry of the Environment and Spatial Planning is the co-organiser of Slovenian Development Days. In his introductory speech, environment minister Simon Zajc noted that climate change knows no borders, and therefore it has to be addressed through international cooperation. He said that it is not right that developing countries should pay more in taxes for climate change than developed countries, particularly because they have historically been responsible for and currently generate less greenhouse gas emissions than developed countries.