The Thirty-Third Meeting of the Cultural, Educational and Social Affairs Committee was held in Thessaloniki on 22 October 2009. The members of the Committee discussed the Draft Report and Draft Recommendation on “Shaping ecological awareness and behaviour in the BSEC Member States”.

PABSEC is fully aware that environmental protection is an integral part of human welfare and well-being, as well as a necessary precondition for achieving the target of sustainable development, as defined by the Rio Declaration and Agenda 21. The Assembly considers that they keys to shaping ecological awareness and behaviour in the BSEC Member States are quality education and information, as well as enhanced public involvement. The Assembly notes with satisfaction that ecological awareness in the BSEC region has increased during the last years and acknowledges the role of regional and international governmental and non-governmental actors in developing numerous programs and projects in the field.

The members of the Committee re-elected Mr. Alexandros Dermentzopoulos (Greece) Chairman of the Committee and elected Mrs. Zhalya Aliyeva (Azerbaijan) Vice-Chairperson of the Committee, for a period of two years, till October 2011.