The International Earth Day was celebrated today by scientists from the Geological Institute of BAS with a conference which was held in the “Prof. Marin Drinov” Hall of the Academy. The director of the institute, Assoc. Prof. Svetoslav Georgiev, opened the forum which was attended by representatives of the Bulgarian Chamber of Mining and Geology, the Ministry of Energy, the Embassy of Finland, scientists from the country and abroad.
“Despite Bulgaria’s traditions in mining and deposits development, our country is not on the map of European deposits of critical raw materials. Bulgaria is also not on the list of 47 priority strategic projects for the European Commission for the extraction of critical raw materials,” Assoc. Prof. Svetoslav Georgiev said. According to him, the topic of resource potential is also important for the national security of our country. “I hope that with the joint efforts of science, the state and business we will achieve the progress we all want. Let’s take care of the Earth with common efforts, understand it and use its resources wisely, protect the natural resources for us and the next generation,” Assoc. Prof. Georgiev also said. He presented the National Scientific Programme for Critical and Strategic Raw Materials in Bulgaria which was to be implemented in the next five years.
Deputy Minister of Energy Krassimir Nenov congratulated the scientists on the occasion of the International Earth Day. “I believe that the National Programme for Critical and Strategic Raw Materials will become a platform for an active exchange of knowledge and experience between researchers, government institutions and business which will benefit the environmentally friendly and sustainable exploration and extraction of raw materials not only in our country,” he said.
The Scientific Secretary-General of BAS, Prof. Neli Koseva, also welcomed the participants in the conference. “We, as scientists, know and can appreciate what the Earth offers. We can search for and propose intelligent environmentally friendly ways to use its resources, and we can also predict the consequences of irresponsible exploitation of its riches,” Prof. Koseva said and added that she welcomed the initiative of the Geological Institute to maintain the tradition of celebrating Earth Day.
The Ambassador of Finland to Bulgaria H.E. Ms. Kirsti Pohjankukka and the Director of the Geological Institute planted a Finnish birch tree in the courtyard of BAS on the occasion of Earth Day.
