Press releases

The event, which took place on Thursday 10 February 2022, marked the start of the implementation of Resource Efficiency and Mai Pure Production (RECP) in the Republic of Moldova. Under the European Union (EU) funded regional programme, EU4Environment, but also the flagship annual event, the EU Industry Days 2022, members of the private sector from the Republic of Moldova met in a virtual format with representatives of the government and national and international organisations to discuss, present and promote tools and instruments that support the country’s transition to a green economy.

The webinar promoted a broader application of the RECP methodology, where a local market of service providers will be developed (including with sufficient local capacities and skills). RECP is implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) in the six Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries (including Moldova) under the EU4Environemnt Action. Part of the Action concerns the introduction of specialised RECP training for energy and environmental specialists and representatives of manufacturing companies wishing to become CompaniiDemonstrative RECP.

“It is important to involve in this event the ministries dealing with the activities of EU4Environment, together with economic agencies and representatives of different businesses – as cooperation with these actors is a key issue on which Moldova’s transition to the green economy depends. The Ministry of the Environment recognises that economic activities must be carried out with the utmost responsibility towards the environment, and society. Thus, the Government’s action plan on environmental protection includes a number of priority measures: The Environmental Strategy for the years 2022-2033, the Programme for the Promotion of the Green Economy for the years 2022-2027 and the Low Emission Development Programme until 2033. All these policies will be followed by practical actions that will support their implementation, involving businesses, economic operators and the population as a whole. For this reason, we appreciate the support and commitment of the EU4Environment programme and encourage all implementing partners and local beneficiaries to make a maximum effort to achieve the necessary results, strengthen national capacity, and promote the sustainable economy. In this context, the EPCR is of utmost importance to achieve the above-mentioned ambitions. The participation of ODIMM (Organisation for the Development of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises) in the given Component, led by UNIDO, can ensure the continuity of the planned activities. In the coming period, the Ministry will address the greening of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), eco-innovation, and eco-labelling, as they promote both new and green jobs and green products or services. I can assure you that we will offer our full support to make these plans a reality and strengthen our engagement with all partners involved”stated Ms. Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov, State Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Government National Focal Point in the EU4Environment project.

Organised as part of the EU Industry Days campaign, the event also covered topics related to areas of green and digital transformation, but also resilience and circularity (by developing the national capacity of industrial enterprises in the Republic of Moldova), fostering dialogue between the private sector and the Government and facilitating new partnerships.

“I would like to thank UNIDO for its excellent work in implementing the Circular Economy and New Growth Opportunities Component under the EU4Environment programme in Moldova (under the strategic guidance of the EU), but also ministries and ODSMEs for their commitment. I encourage stakeholder participation, as partnerships between government and the private sector are vital for the green transition. The topic of the webinar is both timely and of great importance, as the EPCR is a successful tool to increase resource efficiency and prevent them from becoming waste. This reduces pollution and waste, which is good for the economy and the environment. These are the top priorities that will make Moldova more competitive, resource-efficient and sustainable – and are in line with the EU’s Green Deal. The EU remains committed to ensuring the green transition and turning environmental challenges into opportunities, leaving no one behind”he said Mr Gintautas Baranauskas, Deputy Head of Operations Department, EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova.

The online event gathered around 80 participants from various fields of activism and reached around 200 viewers on social media, where it was also broadcast live. The webinar focused on the importance of partnerships and synergies, raised awareness with Rivier of existing experience and support in the field, and discussed the application of the RECP methodology within companies (both individually and as part of the RECP Clubs as established in Cahul and Gagauzia).

“Resource efficiency is one of the flagship programmes that UNIDO is introducing at global level and, thanks to EU support (as a donor to EU4Environment), also at regional level in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries. The Business Arena and the challenges of the green transition and resilience are a strategic topic for UNIDO, as we strive to prevent the negative impacts of industries on biodiversity, climate, and the environment. In this context, we consider resource efficiency as a cornerstone for the implementation of the Circular Economy in Moldova”he said Ms. Tatiana Chernyavskaya, Project Manager EU4Environment, Directorate for Environment and Energy, UNIDO.

Participants reacted positively to the introduction of the RECP methodology and showed great interest in attending trainings dedicated to RECP and RECP Clubs.

“I am glad to see so many participants who confirm the interest and relevance of this topical event. For this programme, ODIMM has been mandated as a partner of UNIDO to ensure business support in Moldova. As a result of recent years, new programmes have been launched, dedicated to business growth, digitalisation, and fostering resilience and green economic activities. A rather important area is greening, as it also addresses environmental objectives. Companies are some of the biggest pollutants, but they do not always have the capacity to follow current legislation on their own, nor the opportunity or knowledge to measure their immediate environmental impact on their own”he said Mr Dumitru Pîntea, ODIMM Director, UNIDO RECP Training and Evaluation Partner.

General information

The EU-funded EU4Environment action aims to support Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to preserve and valorise their natural capital, enhancing the well-being of the environment for people and benefiting from new development opportunities. With a budget of around EUR 20 million for all six countries, the EU4Environment project is carried out with the support of five international partners: OECD, UNIDO, UNEP, UNECE and the World Bank Group. For more information please visit: www.eu4environment.org

Contact

Ms. Tatiana Chernyavskaya

EU4Environment Project Manager

Directorate for Environment and Energy

United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO)

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