At the Ministerial Conference in Florence, Italy, marking the 25th anniversary of the Council of Europe’s Landscape Convention (known as the “Florence Convention”), Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge emphasised that “Landscapes shape our past and our present. In a dynamic and rapidly changing world, we must work together to integrate landscape protection at every level, across Europe and beyond.”
The conference highlighted how the implementation of the Landscape Convention could enhance the recognition of landscape quality as an essential resource for safeguarding human rights and addressing the impact of the triple planetary crises of pollution, climate change and loss of biodiversity on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law.
Organised by the Council of Europe and the Ministry of Culture of Italy, the event was opened by the Minister of Culture, Alessandro Giuli. Other speakers included the Italian Minister of the Environment and Energy Security, Gilberto Pichetto Fratin (pre-recorded statement), the Parliamentary Assembly member Senator Aurora Floridia and the President of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities Marc Cools (pre-recorded statement).
Sierra Nevada National Park recognised
During the event, the European Diploma for protected areas was awarded to the Sierra Nevada National Park, Nature Park, and Biosphere Reserve in Spain.
Congratulating Francisco de Asís Muñoz Collado, the Director of the park, who was present in Florence to accept the diploma, the Deputy Secretary General said that Sierra Nevada becomes the fifth Spanish national park to join the club of 67 holders of the European Diploma for protected areas. “Preventing extinctions – revitalising habitats – protecting biodiversity – these principles are what this diploma is all about.”
Commitment to more effective implementation of landscape protection
A final declaration has been adopted by participants outlining a strategic vision to strengthening multilateral cooperation and promoting the effective implementation of the convention and its integration in national policies. Participants also reaffirmed the pivotal role of the convention and outline its future direction in line with the Reykjavik Declaration, while also serving to implement the Council of Europe Strategy on the environment.
“Today, ensuring the security of our landscapes is more important and pressing than ever. Climate change brings with it extreme weather events and fundamental changes to our ecosystem. These, alongside increases in pollution and land degradation, all leading to loss of biodiversity. We must both adapt to these challenges and work to mitigate their effects, in both our urban and country landscapes,” Mr Berge said.
The Italian Culture Ministry's video marking the occasion
Read Deputy Secretary General Berge’s opening speech in full
Read Deputy Secretary General Berge’s closing speech in full
Read Deputy Secretary General Berge’s speech at European Diploma Award Ceremony in full
Sierra Nevada Natural and National Park
Full text of the final declaration
