Head of the EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in BiH, Ambassador Lars-Gunnar Wigemark, together with Mrs Rebekah Wigemark, donated and planted today two seedlings of spruce and sorbus in the park next to the Second General High School in Sarajevo on the occasion of Earth Day. Cantonal Public Utility Company ‘Park’ and its Director, Mr. Safet Baltic, supported and participated in the action.
On this occasion, Ambassador Wigemark said:
“This small eco-action on Earth Day aims at raising awareness of the necessity to protect our environment, no matter where in Europe or the world we live. One of the European Union’s key policy goals is protection of environment – including decreasing pollution and increasing sustainability. The European Union has been consistently supporting the environmental sector in BiH. Support allocated under the first generation of the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA 2007-2013) funds amounted to nearly 90 million Euros. This included substantial infrastructure investments aiming to provide for improved waste water treatment, preventing further pollution of underground water used as the source of drinking water; improved access to drinking water and enhanced waste disposal, all in line with the requirements of the relevant EU environmental legislation and standards.”
Later during the day, the EU Information Centre organized an art exhibition and presentation on environmental protection to raise awareness of the importance of environmental protection and ways to sustain a healthier and clearer environment.
Earth Day is an annual event, celebrated on April 22, on which day events worldwide are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. It was first celebrated in 1970, and is now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network, and celebrated in more than 192 countries each year.
