EcoContact promotes environmental transparency at global conference in Manila

Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov, Chair of the Aarhus Convention Task Force on Access to Information, represented EcoContact Association at the global conference dedicated to the International Day for Universal Access to Information (IDUAI 2025), organized by UNESCO in Manila, the Republic of the Philippines on September 29-30. The event brought together government officials, international organizations, civil society, and journalists from around the world.

During the high-level panel dedicated to the ten years since the Paris Agreement, Iordanov emphasized the direct link between environmental information transparency and community resilience.


“Without free access to data about air, water, and climate, public participation remains limited, and accountability cannot be sustainable,”declared Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov.


Her intervention highlighted that access to environmental data is not just a procedural right but an essential tool for protection against climate crises, pollution, and biodiversity loss.

The conference also addressed real-time data dissemination, combating misinformation, and protecting environmental whistleblowers, with examples of best practices presented: Kazakhstan’s “Tabigat” interactive map, Georgia’s environmental information portal, Armenia’s “Red Book” app, and the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register from the Republic of Moldova, developed through regional cooperation.

The event concluded with the adoption of a Joint Declaration, reaffirming access to environmental information as a fundamental right and calling for the proactive publication of data on environmental quality, emissions, and climate risks, community involvement in cross-border projects, and strengthening independent monitoring mechanisms.

For EcoContact, participation in IDUAI 2025 reaffirms the importance of transparency and access to information in the Republic of Moldova’s green transition process. As host of the Aarhus Center in Chisinau, the organization reaffirms its commitment to promoting these principles in all its projects, supporting regional cooperation and active community involvement.