Estonia
Speech by Mr. Villu Reiljan,
Minister of the Environment of the Republic of Estonia
UN Commission on Sustainable Development
New York, 29 April 2004
Mr. Chairman, dear colleagues,
Estonia is among the countries who shares concern that commitments
taken in Johannesburg concerning water, sanitation and human
settlements are not completely on track. Estonia shares common
responsibility for dealing with global problems and managing global
resources. Flexibility, creativity, openness and sustainability were
factors that made up Estonia's development during last ten years and
we are willing to share this experience with the world.
Estonia has taken seriously the implementation of the Millennium
Development Goals and commitments taken in Johannesburg. By 2005,
integrated water resource management plan is expected to be ready.
Furthermore, considering the different aspects of water management,
more detailed plans are being prepared, taking into account special
features of different regions. For example, to ensure the protection of
coastal waters and to manage the human activities in coastal areas,
Estonia has started a process of establishing integrated coastal zone
management plans. To ensure the balance in water use and quality of
drinking water, action plans will be also established for the areas
suffering from high concentrations of nitrogen in groundwater (nitrate
vulnerable zones). The action plan for the nitrate vulnerable zone will
be established already in 2004.
Estonia has successfully started preparations to establish river basin
management plans for river basin districts on Estonian territory.
Estonia has also taken steps in strengthening of transboundary river
basin management. Based on bilateral agreements and in close
collaboration with neighbouring countries, first transboundary river
management plan is being prepared.
Estonia has achieved significant progress in the field of water
management. More than 75% of the population is connected with
drinking water supply network. One of Estonia's priorities is to invest
considerable resources in order to ensure the correspondence of
drinking water quality to the requirements of the European Union.
Implementation plan targeted at meeting the drinking water values for
microbiological parameters, was prepared in 2002. The aim of the plan
was to ensure drinking water compliance with the EU limit values for
microbiological parameters and it was implemented in 2002-2003.
Increase in water/wastewater tariffs, investments and economicalpolitical
decisions have lead to the more economical use of water
resources as well as upgrading of water pipelines and sanitary
installations. Water extraction for domestic, industrial and agricultural
use has decreased approximately three times during the last decade.
Pollution load by BOD7, Ptot and Ntot has decreased by 92%, 73% and
52% respectively during 1992-2002 . Rapid decline of pollution load at
the beginning of 90?s resulted mainly from the restructuring of
industrial production. However, application of targeted environmental
policy, promotion of modern production technologies as well as
upgrading of wastewater treatment plants have also significantly
contributed to decline pollution load during the last decade.
Investments for upgrading and expanding water supply and sewerage
system and for building new treatment plants have been financed from
different sources: sate budget, local budgets, private sector, foreign
loans and grants.
All this has brought about the decrease of the pressure exerted to
aquatic environment. As a consequence, the state of the environment of
coastal waters of the Baltic Sea, rivers, lakes and groundwater has been
improving considerably.
CSD-12 is a crucial milestone in the whole renewed CSD working
cycle. Consensus reached in identifying water, sanitation and human
settlements as priorities to be tackled on global level, is very encouraging
and rises, therefore, high expectations, We should, therefore, clearly define
and agree by the next session of the CSD, on further measurable and goaloriented
actions leading us towards timely and full implementation of targets
taken in Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. This requires openness to
different approaches, creativity, co-operation and participation of all
stakeholders.
I would finally assure you that if positive developments are possible on
country level, they might be achievable also in global collaboration.
And on the other hand, progress on global level will back national
efforts to promote further principles of sustainable development in all
sectors.
Thank you for your attention.
Minister of the Environment of the Republic of Estonia
UN Commission on Sustainable Development
New York, 29 April 2004
Mr. Chairman, dear colleagues,
Estonia is among the countries who shares concern that commitments
taken in Johannesburg concerning water, sanitation and human
settlements are not completely on track. Estonia shares common
responsibility for dealing with global problems and managing global
resources. Flexibility, creativity, openness and sustainability were
factors that made up Estonia's development during last ten years and
we are willing to share this experience with the world.
Estonia has taken seriously the implementation of the Millennium
Development Goals and commitments taken in Johannesburg. By 2005,
integrated water resource management plan is expected to be ready.
Furthermore, considering the different aspects of water management,
more detailed plans are being prepared, taking into account special
features of different regions. For example, to ensure the protection of
coastal waters and to manage the human activities in coastal areas,
Estonia has started a process of establishing integrated coastal zone
management plans. To ensure the balance in water use and quality of
drinking water, action plans will be also established for the areas
suffering from high concentrations of nitrogen in groundwater (nitrate
vulnerable zones). The action plan for the nitrate vulnerable zone will
be established already in 2004.
Estonia has successfully started preparations to establish river basin
management plans for river basin districts on Estonian territory.
Estonia has also taken steps in strengthening of transboundary river
basin management. Based on bilateral agreements and in close
collaboration with neighbouring countries, first transboundary river
management plan is being prepared.
Estonia has achieved significant progress in the field of water
management. More than 75% of the population is connected with
drinking water supply network. One of Estonia's priorities is to invest
considerable resources in order to ensure the correspondence of
drinking water quality to the requirements of the European Union.
Implementation plan targeted at meeting the drinking water values for
microbiological parameters, was prepared in 2002. The aim of the plan
was to ensure drinking water compliance with the EU limit values for
microbiological parameters and it was implemented in 2002-2003.
Increase in water/wastewater tariffs, investments and economicalpolitical
decisions have lead to the more economical use of water
resources as well as upgrading of water pipelines and sanitary
installations. Water extraction for domestic, industrial and agricultural
use has decreased approximately three times during the last decade.
Pollution load by BOD7, Ptot and Ntot has decreased by 92%, 73% and
52% respectively during 1992-2002 . Rapid decline of pollution load at
the beginning of 90?s resulted mainly from the restructuring of
industrial production. However, application of targeted environmental
policy, promotion of modern production technologies as well as
upgrading of wastewater treatment plants have also significantly
contributed to decline pollution load during the last decade.
Investments for upgrading and expanding water supply and sewerage
system and for building new treatment plants have been financed from
different sources: sate budget, local budgets, private sector, foreign
loans and grants.
All this has brought about the decrease of the pressure exerted to
aquatic environment. As a consequence, the state of the environment of
coastal waters of the Baltic Sea, rivers, lakes and groundwater has been
improving considerably.
CSD-12 is a crucial milestone in the whole renewed CSD working
cycle. Consensus reached in identifying water, sanitation and human
settlements as priorities to be tackled on global level, is very encouraging
and rises, therefore, high expectations, We should, therefore, clearly define
and agree by the next session of the CSD, on further measurable and goaloriented
actions leading us towards timely and full implementation of targets
taken in Johannesburg Plan of Implementation. This requires openness to
different approaches, creativity, co-operation and participation of all
stakeholders.
I would finally assure you that if positive developments are possible on
country level, they might be achievable also in global collaboration.
And on the other hand, progress on global level will back national
efforts to promote further principles of sustainable development in all
sectors.
Thank you for your attention.
Stakeholders