In news from the Eastern European nations conjoining the Carpathians, the seven countries sharing one of the world’s great mountain ranges have agreed to joint sustainable management of the region. The Protocol on Sustainable Tourism was adopted at the Third Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Carpathian Convention (COP3).
High Tatras, Poland - Courtesy Wikipedia
Drafted by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), the new protocol will usher in a new era in cooperation between Carpathian nations. The recent conference, held in Bratislava, Slovakia, 25-27 May, provided the forum for a much needed cooperation to help preserve one of the world’s most beautiful and bio-diverse areas.
Colibita Lake, Bistrita Nasaud, Romania - Courtesy Paul Gabriel Pasztor
The Carpathian Mountains are shared by the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia and Ukraine. The mountains are one of the largest in Europe and the world, and provide a habitat for some of the world’s most endangered species. The largest remaining populations of brown bears, wolves, lynx and eagles, call this region home. Growing tourism and economic expansion will have to be carried out with a watchful eye to ensure this wonderful region’s heritage for future generations.
Slovakia, Belianske Tatry Mts. - Courtesy Peter Fenďa
Tourism opportunities about in this region, and cooperative efforts are crucial not only to position the suggested countries in the international marketplace, but to ensure the sustainability of development. According to the news, UNWTO will continue to provide assistance to the Carpathian States via a Secretariat of this most recent convention.
Romania's Godeanu Mts. - Courtesy Peter Fenďa
For more information about this new protocol, or upcoming intitiatives of the convention, please visit the official website. Those interested parties might also visit the official UNEP website here.
