Moldova hands over presidency of Task Force on Access to Information to Switzerland, after a four-year term marked by progress

Moldova has handed over the presidency of the Task Force on Access to Information to Switzerland. The event took place on July 2, during the opening of the 29th meeting of the Working Group of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention, held in Geneva, marking the end of a four-year term for our country, represented by Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov, the executive director of the NGO EcoContact.

In her closing speech, Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov presented the Task Force's activity report, from setting goals at the 26th meeting in June 2022, to the tenth meeting, organized in Geneva from November 5–6, 2024.

“During this period, international experts focused on three strategic directions: digitizing access to environmental information, enhancing the transparency of public institutions and strengthening the protection of whistleblowers. Under the coordination of Moldova, the Task Force has promoted essential initiatives and best practices for harmonizing electronic technologies with the standards of the Aarhus Convention; facilitating public access to primary and historical environmental data; developing protection mechanisms and support for journalists and whistleblowers in the environmental sector,” explains EcoContact.

In conclusion, Iordanca-Rodica Iordanov thanked the experts and partner organizations for their demonstrated commitment over all these years.

“I thank all the experts and partner organizations for the dedication they have shown over the past four years. I am confident that Switzerland will continue to innovate and facilitate public access to environmental information,” said the head of EcoContact.

The handover of the presidency to Switzerland takes place in a context where  Moldova is recognized for its active contribution to strengthening the implementation of the Aarhus Convention and promoting transparency and environmental rights internationally.

A Task Force is a temporary structure made up of experts, representatives of relevant institutions or organizations, who come together to address a specific, complex or priority issue. The purpose of a Task Force is to analyze the situation, develop recommendations, policies or specific solutions and sometimes implement them.

The Task Force on Access to Information, within the framework of the Aarhus Convention, is a working group made up under the auspices of the United Nations (UNECE), aimed at monitoring and promoting the effective enforcement of citizens' right to access environmental information. This Task Force brings together representatives of the Member States, civil society and technical experts, in order to improve transparency and communication in the field of environmental protection.